I Corinthians 11:1
“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.”
This is a confident statement. I know Paul is humble so it’s not arrogance. We should all be able to say that. He is a follower of Christ. So are we. We stumble and fall. All believers do. We repent and ask for forgiveness. That is behavior that is to be emulated. That reminds me of how parents should ask their children for forgiveness when they make mistakes. This isn’t sacrificing power, but making it clear that parents can be wrong, so the right thing to do it to apologize.
We appreciate examples. Many fields have apprenticeships. The less experienced follows the master craftman. They are learning the trade. Paul speaks of training others. 2 Timothy 2:2 says, “And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.” I’ve heard that this verse gives the three levels of discipleship, we should have those less experienced that we can teach, those above us whom we can learn from and those like us that we share life with. We should be the example and have an example to learn from.
Do we have those levels in our lives? I would say so. My mens group leader and my employer would qualify as those higher. I have those in my Thursday study who are lower. I was blessed to have a strong friend who mentored me. I met Gordon when I was about eight months old in the faith. He was a seminary student. I would go to his apartment every Friday night for bible study. When he started his church I attended it and was involved in ministry. We’re still friends today. That relationship was a blessing. The Lord used it in my life to cause great growth in me.
The Holy Spirit is also our discipler. Jesus said in John 16:7, “But I tell you the truth, it is for your benefit that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” John 14:26 speaks of what He does, “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.” That’s amazing. God is our discipler.
Romans 8:16 speaks of how close we are to the Holy Spirit, “The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God”. We feel Him. He is in us intertwined with us. His peace and comforting presence is amazing. That gets eclipsed when we disobey. That is quenching the Holy Spirit. We can’t wait to repent and restore the relationship.
Thank You, Lord, for the system of maturity You have made. Help us to have all three levels of relationships. Thank You, for the Holy Spirit. He is such a blessing and help.