“Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2
“And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” Paul from 1 Corinthians 11:1
It has been said that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If that’s the case, human beings are a very flattering lot. All of us spend so much time trying to act like someone else. We style our hair to match our favorite actor... buy shoes to help us dunk like LeBron... maybe even change the way we speak to better blend in to our workspace or family. Sometimes we are imitating without even realizing it. The mannerisms we picked up from mom... the quick temper of our dad... the calming attitude of grandma... sharing the wisdom of grandfather. All of these are a part of who we are... they are the “us” that people see...
Unfortunately, however, through all of these imitations... sometimes we forget who we really are. We’ve been playing the part so long we don’t remember what our face looks like without the mask on it. Who we were created to be is lost and replaced with who we think others want to see.
There’s an often-repeated story of a contest that happened long ago. Famed actor, Charlie Chaplin entered a Charlie Chaplin look-a-like contest. He came in third.
Sometimes people can’t recognize the real thing anymore. When you want to be the real you... you can’t. You have a part you must play... happy wife, content husband, vigilant employee, concerned brother, deep thinker, party guy... the list goes on. The real you has been replaced by an unrecognizable facsimile. You were created for more.
You were made by God to be special, unique, and wonderfully knitted together. Instead of imitating others... God wants us to imitate Him. When we do this, we maintain our personal identity, help others to see the risen Christ in us, and grow to reach our God-potential. How do we learn how to act like God? Read His word, stay plugged in to His church, and lean on close Christian friends that will hold you accountable if you try to become anyone other than Christ.
Let’s make every effort to make the real us reflect the real Christ. It is my prayer that someday you will be able to say the same thing as Paul did in today’s second verse... imitate me because, in doing so, you will be acting just like Jesus.
