Why We As Christians Should Imitate Christ

Why We As Christians Should Imitate Christ

by Kevin Burton

   Imitation is said to be the highest form of flattery. That’s what we’re thinking of today in answering the question, “why imitate Christ?”

   Who besides God is worthy of imitation or flattery?

   “Be like Mike” was a Nike slogan years ago and thousands of little boys – and girls – wanted to get there. You can’t just set out to be and then expect to be, like Michael Jordan. But surely good things happened for some of the young athletes who tried.

   That’s fine in a secular sense, as far as it goes. But as Christians we know God is the only one worthy of imitation.  Mere men will let you down every time (Ravi Zacharias anyone?).

    So when Paul says in 1 Corinthians 11:1 “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” I understand that as “inasmuch as you imitate Christ” or “only as long as you imitate Christ.”

   Christ is the standard. In our fallen state as humans, we can’t rise to the level of Christ, no matter how fervent our determination and how pure our motives. But there are reasons, presented today by Alistair Begg, speaker on the Truth For Life radio ministry, why we should do our best to imitate Christ.

   “Why should Christians imitate Christ? They should do it for their own sakes. If they desire to be spiritually healthy—if they want to escape the sickness of sin and enjoy the vigor of growing grace, Jesus must be their model,” Begg writes.

   “For their own happiness’ sake, if they would drink deeply of His love, if they would enjoy holy and happy communion with Jesus, if they would be lifted up above the cares and troubles of this world, let them walk even as He walked,” Begg writes. “There is nothing that is able to assist you in walking directly toward heaven like wearing the image of Jesus on your heart to rule all its emotions. It is when, by the power of the Holy Spirit, you are enabled to walk with Jesus in His very footsteps that you are most happy and most known to be the sons of God. Peter at a distance is both unsafe and uneasy.

   “Next, for religion’s sake strive to be like Jesus,” Begg writes.

   Here, I believe and surely hope that what he means when he says “religion” is the public reputation of God’s church.

   Religion is a word that I believe has been largely emptied of its meaning and what meaning remains is negative.  Religion as in empty ceremonies or mantras.

   I think Begg’s words make sense in the context of maintaining the good reputation of the church.

   “Poor religion, you have been fiercely attacked by cruel foes, but you have not been wounded half as much by your enemies as you have by your friends.”

   “Who made those wounds in the fair hand of godliness? The professing Christian who used the dagger of hypocrisy. The man who with disguises enters the fold, being nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing, worries the flock more than the lion outside,” Begg writes.

   “There is no weapon half so deadly as a Judas-kiss. Inconsistent professing Christians injure the Gospel more than the sneering critic or the heretic.

   “But finally for Christ’s own sake, imitate His example. Christian, do you love your Savior? Is His name precious to you? Is His cause dear to you? Would you see the kingdoms of the world become His? Is it your desire that He should be glorified? Are you longing that souls should be won to Him? If so, imitate Jesus; be “a letter of Christ . . . known and read by all.”

   “The Church exists for nothing else but to draw men into Christ, to make them little Christs.  If they are not doing that. all the cathedrals, clergy, missions, sermons, even the Bible itself are simply a waste of time,” wrote C.S. Lewis in the book “Mere Christianity.”

   Believers were first called Christians as a term of derision by Gentiles in the city of Antioch (see Acts 11:26). We can’t enter into all the attributes of Christ, but we should seek to imitate Him and become even better imitations as our Christian walk continues.