Who do you imitate? Children imitate parents, siblings, and friends—for good or bad. Most of us have imitated somebody along the way. Sometimes we don’t know we’re imitating someone then we notice that we’re talking like them or acting like them.
In this passage, the apostle, Paul, calls his readers to be imitators of him.
I like the passage to imitate me as I imitate christ.
First, A personal intimate relationship with God is important. Plus, knowing who you are in Christ. Otherwise a person may fall into trying to be like the person they are imitating, idolizing,instead of focusing/imitating Jesus. Which, in turn could cause problems, confusion down the road.
I love your insight, Richard. It seems like you are saying that intimacy with Jesus helps us to be imitate-able rather than cheap imitations!
It is staggering to realize that in the pulpit and pew ritual, no laypeople will EVER “imitate” the pulpit leader—Not in any pulpit and pew building funded by $677 BILLION annually in America. Not even for 5 minutes on one Sunday their whole life. 100% of truth-expression in worship is outsourced to the hired pastor. It’s been that way 500 years.
Due to the greatness of God’s grace, some have been saved and fewer still have been discipled to be imitators of Jesus that others can imitate. Pew sitting, tithing, and using 84% of it to buy the pulpit and pew version of church is not imitating Jesus. Jesus gave his economics of imitation ministry in four Greek words. “Freely you have received, freely give.”
Plus, with obedience, imitating Jesus and Paul, we can accomplish far more disciple-making than through the lecture-dominated method. Let us grow beyond those old wineskins. There is great reward for obedience. I am thankful I learned the truth and repented of non-imitation forms of church life.
Thank you for your statistics, Tim.
Also the very important Four Greek words (three words if we don’t count Freely twice, but we’d better since the double use doubles the importance!):
1. Freely Strong’s Greek #1431. δωρεά dōreá—to give. A free gift with emphasis on its gratuitous character.
2. You have received (this phrase is one Greek word/verb) Strong’s Greek #2983. λαμβάνω lambánō—to receive as merely a self–prompted action.
3. Freely Strong’s Greek #1431. δωρεά dōreá—to give. A free gift with emphasis on its gratuitous character.
4. Give Strong’s Greek #1325. δίδωμι dídōmi—to give of one’s own accord and with goodwill.