BE IMITATOR OF CHRIST!

                                                                 


THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father] (Ephesians 5:1 AMP).

There’re those who define Christianity as the imitation of Christ; this isn’t quite accurate. Christianity is the revelation of Christ in you. For example, a house has a kitchen, but the kitchen isn’t the house. In Christianity, there’s the imitation of Christ; but Christianity, essentially, isn’t the imitation of Christ.

Many people have never really understood true Christianity; hence, they tell everyone to imitate Christ. However, the message to imitate Christ isn’t for everyone, but for those in whom is the life and nature of God. You couldn’t imitate Christ except you have His life in you. How really are we supposed to imitate Christ? Are we supposed to go to the Cross and die as He did? Did He say that everything He did, we must do? Are we to go to the wilderness and fast for forty days and forty nights, as He did? Is it by copying His mannerisms, dressing, tone of voice etc.? Certainly not; but, we can study about Him in the Word; we can see Him in the Word and follow His examples.

1 Peter 2:21-23, lets us know some of the areas we can imitate Him. It says, "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that Judgeth righteously." We’re to emulate His life of righteousness, wholesome communication, nature of forgiveness, kindness, humility, and love.

The summation of His character is love; we’re to therefore emulate Him by walking in love. Ephesians 5: 2 AMP admonishes us to "… walk in love, [esteeming and delighting in one another] as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a slain offering and sacrifice to God [for you, so that it became] a sweet fragrance." 1 John 4:7-8 says, "Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love."

                                                                          PRAYER

Dear Father, I thank you for filling my heart with the revelation of your Word, and the wisdom to do your will. As I apply my heart to your Word, Christ is formed in me, and His character of love and nature of righteousness are revealed through me day by day, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
 
1 John 4:7-9
New Life Version (NLV)
Loving God Makes Us Love Our Christian Brothers
7 Dear friends, let us love each other, because love comes from God. Those who love are God’s children and they know God.8 Those who do not love do not know God because God is love. 9 God has shown His love to us by sending His only Son into the world. God did this so we might have life through Christ.

1 John 4:7-9
Amplified Bible (AMP)
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is (springs) from God; and he who loves [his fellowmen] is begotten (born) of God and is coming [progressively] to know and understand God [to perceive and recognize and get a better and clearer knowledge of Him].
8 He who does not love has not become acquainted with God [does not and never did know Him], for God is love.
9 In this the love of God was made manifest (displayed) where we are concerned: in that God sent His Son, the only begotten or [a]unique [Son], into the world so that we might live through Him.