I Corinthians 4:16
“Therefore I urge you to be imitators of me”.
What a bold charge. However, all christians should be able to say that. A child of God who walks with Christ walks in His ways. We read the bible and He empowers us to obey it. It was awkward at first. I had much to unlearn.
I grew up in a church that was very works based with little grace. I saw a movie years ago that had a character in that same denomination. I can recall a young man looking to him for direction. His face was hard and unbending. In that moment I connected with that. It’s how I felt God saw me.
About five years into my walk with Christ I heard the message of grace. I couldn’t believe it. I learned to. I did have to unlearn how God saw me. It was His grace and love. I now honestly know that God looks on me with delight. Not because I’m so good, but because He’s my Father.
He has given us new hearts (2 Corinthians 3:3). As we read the bible we want to obey Him. After a few years of this we are walking maturely in Christ. We can then say with Paul, “Be imitators of me”. A few chapters later Paul says it this way, “You are to imitate me as I imitate Christ”, (11:1).
We don’t know every thing, but we know how to get the answers. Our pastors, online resources and so on.
Another aspect of following Christ is sensing Him and His guidance. He gives us His joy and peace. When we begin to walk out of His will that peace disappears. It gives us pause. Sometimes we knowingly disobey. That lack of peace is the conviction of the Holy Spirit to turn around. Other times we are walking obediently it’s that He wants to get our attention about something. We seek Him for answers and direction.
All of this is the inner life of a christian walking with God. Others should imitate that. It’s how to walk with Christ.
Most of us have learned this from our pastors or mature believers in our lives. We’ve imitated them.
Thank You Lord, for how simple You’ve made the christian life. We’ve got Your example in scripture and plenty of examples around us. Thank You.