Imitate me? (an imitator is a follower)
1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1 says: "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ."
This past year has been one of the most exciting times of my life. As I look back and reflect on how timid and shy I am and how the Lord continues to open the door for me to share the Gospel it just amazes me. Can you say the same? How did you do in sharing the Gospel in 2010? Did you know that throughout the New Testament the disciple Paul invites people around him to Imitate him as he also imitated Christ. He willingly set his life up as an example for people to watch.
What would our Christian lives really look like if we took the phrase “Imitate me” seriously and actually allowed people to witness and watch our lives? Would our lives look different than they do now? Would they see Christ living through us? Imagine what our churches, communities, and world would look like if we took this invitation of Paul to heart and sought to imitate him as he imitated Christ. Imagine instead of telling people to "don't look to me but to Christ as an example" we could say "follow my example, as I follow Christ".
Wow, to have that kind of mindset where we want people to be like us and live like us. I don't know about you but that really got me thinking. I was recently challenged with this at a Youth Workers Conference where the Lord impressed upon my heart that it was not enough for me to wear a name tag that said on it "Imitate", but to say "Imitate Me (Tim)". The thought that the Lord wants people to follow my life as I follow Him meant that I had better be sticking really close to Jesus.
1 Corinthians 4:15-16 says: "For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you,
imitate me."
This year I've made it a goal to reach out with the Gospel more than ever before. Not just event evangelism, where you go to witness on your time table when you have some free time to give to the Lord. But every moment, whether it be at work, on the phone with telemarketers, purposely avoiding the ATM machine or gas pump machines so we can talk to a real person and give them an ice breaker (gospel tracts are for people not places). I know for most of us this does not come natural which is why we need to rely on God and His grace.
The best way to overcome the fear to witness is to just do it, and to practice at it. I've made it a goal to carry ice breakers (gospel tracts are for people not places) with me everyday, and to always have at least one on me, which so far has been causing me to look at everything as an opportunity to share the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. If I don't have an ice breaker (gospel tracts are for people not places) on me I feel less inclined to share the Gospel, or look for opportunities, they serve as great reminders when you feel them in your pockets. So I ask you to follow my example and do as I do.
Ephesians 4:29-5:1 says: "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore be
imitators of God as dear children."
My desire is simple, to simply follow God's example in everything I do. I want every word that I say to bring God glory, and impart grace to those around me. The hard part is I have to make it a habit to practice, that is to change your mindset, which will change your actions. Thankfully the Lord is the only one that can do this for us, we must pray to God, and allow His Word to transform our minds, so our lives will no longer be conformed to this world.
Here's an example of what I mean, when one of my coworkers asks me how was my weekend, and instead of me just saying "I had a great weekend, how was yours?", I say "It was so good, I was so refreshed as I heard Gods Word this weekend at Church, and I can't seem to stop singing worship songs to Jesus, what an awesome weekend, and how was your weekend?" This is truly how I feel inside but I just don't share this, when I should be. I don't know about you but I want to share the Gospel and do good.
3 John 1:11 says: "Beloved, do not
imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God."
Don't let any bad example influence your life, and don't listen to any excuse not to share the Gospel. The only reason you wouldn't want other people to follow your example is because pride has gotten the way. Simply follow only what is good, and remember that those who do good prove that they are God's children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.
Make sure 2011 is a year you redeem the time and spend sharing the truth of God and His salvation. Go and tell someone today about Jesus, and then tomorrow, and then next week and write down your adventures because they will be sure to encourage you as you see God working in your life as you Imitate Jesus.
"Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day." Psalm 25:5
Seek and save that which is lost and press on in Love,
Tim Molter
