Ephesians 5:1-2 – “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”  NKJV

The Greek word translated “imitators” or “followers” in verse is “mimetes” the root of the English word “mimic” meaning “one who imitates or emulates.”  It is said that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery and while that may be true in the natural, God desires no flattery but does desire us to pattern our lives after His revealed character.

In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul instructs his listeners to, “Imitate (follow) me, just as I also imitate (follow) Christ.”  He is not asking us to be “fake” or “fake it till we make it” but rather to pattern our lives after the character of Christ.  It is one thing to imitate and another to be an imitation.  It is one thing to pretend and mimic all the right words, right dress, right associations and quite another to pattern your life so that which is visible comes from that which is inside, Christ.

Through the years, I have had people ask me to mentor them and have been told they were following me.  I always caution, “Follow me, just as and only as I follow Christ.”  If what you see or hear, in my life is not consistent with the revealed word, heart, and character of Christ DO NOT FOLLOW.  When I was in Bible College there was a saying that all who attended SAGC in those days will remember, at least, a version of this.  I would hear, “If it is not Harrison it is heresy.  If it is not Jeter it is junk.  If it is not Moon it is malarkey.”  There were others but that illustrates what I’m trying to convey.  We said those things jokingly but it is something that all in positions of leadership must contend.  We want people to accept what we are presenting and to be able to follow us but never want them to become disciples of us but Disciples of Christ.

As a pastor and when traveling in itinerant ministry I frequently advise the congregations, “Do not take what I’m saying because I’m saying it as truth.  Examine the Holy record and if what I present aligns with the written word of God incorporate it into your life.  If it does not then please come to me with what you see and after we discuss it if you and/or I consider what I’ve said inaccurate we will discard it.”  Just because I say something or believe something does not mean it is the final truth for we are all progressing on this path and as we learn we adapt and a metamorphosis takes place.  We move from glory to glory, line upon line and precept upon precept.  It is both flattering and terrifying that people are willing and desirous to follow me.

I want to imitate Christ not be an imitation.  I want the Christ who lives in me to live his life through me and when the world sees me, they see Jesus in me.  I want my life to be as John the Baptist declared, “…a decrease of me and increase of Him.”  It has been said that we are the only Bible some will ever read and if that is accurate then what is the message they are receiving through our lives?  As a follower of Christ our conduct, character, integrity, presentation and presence should be that of the heart and nature of our LORD.   It is “Christ in us” that speaks volumes to those we come in contact.  I had a person say to me some years ago, “If we were on trial for being Christians would they find enough evidence to convict us?”  

Let us “walk in love” demonstrating and exhibiting the Love of Christ and thereby be imitators of our Lord Jesus.  I desire to be a follower or imitator, not an imitation.  God bless you as you embark on the journey through this day in Christ!