“ do not imitate what is evil, but what is good” (3 John 1:11).
My Beloved Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Normally the word ‘imitation’ conjures up very unpleasant thoughts. I immediately think of visiting New York City many years ago, and encountering a very nice man on a busy street near the Empire State Building selling ‘Rolex’ watches at a substantial discount (I didn’t’ buy one!!). Perhaps you have met the same man! When we hear this word ‘imitation’ we can’t help but think ‘fake,’ or ‘knock-off.’
What is most surprising is how this word, or a form of it, frequently appears in our New Testaments and is deployed in a very positive sense. Let me give you some quick examples.
The word “ imitate”:
2 Thessalonians 3:7
For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you. . . .
2 Thessalonians 3:9
It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an example to imitate.
Hebrews 13:7
Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.
The word “ imitators”:
1 Corinthians 4:16
I urge you, then, be imitators of me.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
Ephesians 5:1
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.
1 Thessalonians 1:6
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit . . .
1 Thessalonians 2:14
For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews . . . .
Hebrews 6:12
so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
These exhortations to imitate others are very significant, especially in light of the modern propensity to cast aside the past, to dispense with anything ‘old,’ and to create one’s own version of the ‘authentic’ life. No one wants to follow the path of others, for the urge to be a trailblazer who autonomously determines how life should be lived is very strong in all of us these days.
Yet, as you can see, the Word of God will not allow us to adopt such an isolated, individualistic mentality regarding the way we chose to live. We are not permitted to live out our own personal version of the Christian life. Rather, in the New Testament (and in the Old as well), it is simply assumed that t he correct pathway has already been set forth, and our job is to walk where other believers have trod.
To state this a little more bluntly, there is really nothing at all ‘new’ about the pathway of Christian discipleship. We travel on an ancient road. And as we walk, we are to keep in step with others who have moved in faithfulness, devotion, and in love for Christ Jesus the Lord.
In the verses above, a logical sequence seems to develop. We imitate others who were and are faithful to Christ and to the Word of God. These have imitated and followed faithful believers in front of them. And the ones before them have followed the Apostles. And the Apostles have imitated Jesus. While those outside of Christ say, ‘Forge your own trail,’ we say, ‘Let us follow Jesus!’
Our task each day is to mimic, to imitate our Savior, and those who have gone before us who walked with Him in faithfulness. And strangely enough, this is what Christian ‘authenticity’ really is! It is stepping where Jesus stepped. It is replicating His faith, His obedience, His Scripture-saturated life, His direction, His character, His love, and His determination to glorify His Father. Nothing could be more real or genuine than this!!
So as we come to the beginning of another New Year, our task for the next twelve months and beyond is quite simple. We have Someone to follow, to mimic, to be like. And this requires that we look closely at our Savior, and that we also take our clues and encouragement from those faithful brothers and sisters in the Lord who have ended their journey well.
As we carry out this most solemn duty in the power of the Holy Spirit, the result will be a life that is of infinitely more value than a gold Rolex watch, even a real one! For, as Peter declares, “ the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).
I love you all with all my heart, always!
Mike