Imitate Me

by May 24, 2019Devotional0 comments

Proverbs 8:33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it.

      The Apostle Paul said, “Imitate me.” 1 Cor. 4:16 I urge you, then, be imitators of me. The early Christians did not have the full New Testament at the ready to find out the way to deal with different situations in life. Some of the assemblies and gatherings of like-minded Christians had a letter or two from the Apostle Paul. Other Apostles like Peter, James, and John had written God-inspired epistles by the anointing of the Holy Spirit. However, no one had the complete collection of writings as we have today.
      What did Paul have in his heart to be able to say with confidence? “Imitate me.” 1 Cor. 11:1 You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. That was the key. Paul was saying, just as I imitate Christ, imitate what you see me being and doing as a result of Christ living through me. Paul said that once Christ becomes the Lord of our life, we will be read and scrutinized by the world. 2 Cor. 3:2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men: 3 you show that you are Christ’s letter, delivered by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God — not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
      Would you have the confidence in Christ to boldly say to someone, “Imitate me, because I imitate Christ.” Wow! What a responsibility we have as living epistles and letters of God that express His love for all of mankind. What are the people reading in us when they are looking for answers to life? Do as I say and not as I do, does not work here. 
      Imitate me as I walk in Christ, is imitating what I say and do. Of course, we are fallible people. When we fall, do those who are reading us see us repent, get up, and go forward in Christ? Do they see us making up excuses, shifting the blame, and shrinking back from our accountability to God and each other? I hope they see Christ at work within us doing what the Lord has instructed us to do in His name.
      Our heart and confidence in the Lord should be a declaration that gently says, “Trust in the Lord, and listen to His instructions as you see me following Him with all my heart.” Prov. 8:33 Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. We are not talking about comparing ourselves with others, but rather sharpening and encouraging each other in the admonition of the love and power of God in order to be epistles that can be read clearly, as we point to Christ. Prov. 27:17 Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
      As I get older, I have found it important to teach, direct, and give away everything I know about my Lord Jesus to the next generation. I am not trying to create clones of myself, but rather help develop the calling and gifting that is in every individual God has created. Jer. 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you” — this is the LORD’s declaration — “plans for your well-being, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. 
      The thoughts and intent of God’s heart toward everyone is that none of us should perish, or be eternally lost. 2 Pet. 3:9 The Lord does not delay his promise, as some understand delay, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish but all to come to repentance. God has made a way for all mankind to come to Him through Christ. We who walk in Christ are His hand extended and read of men. May we remember this awesome responsibility the next time we open the pages of our heart to allow a lost and hurting world to read of God’s grace that is available to them. What will be read from your living epistle? Blessings to you in Jesus name!
Find Other Devotions About:

0 Comments

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sir Norm’s Proverbial Comment

Stop Watering Dead Plants

What Are You Buying Into?

Revelation 3:18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold having been refined by fire so that you may be rich, and white garments so that you may be clothed and the shame of your nakedness might not be made manifest, and eye-salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see.    ...

Serving In The Shadow of Others

Romans 16:3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 Who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. The list of people that the Apostle Paul gives recognition in Romans Chapter sixteen...

Do It Afraid

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”       I was working out on the rings at the gym, and someone came up to me and pointed out the dangers of...

The Problem With The Problem

Job 22:28 When you make a decision, it will be carried out, and light will shine on your ways.       The problem with the problem is that everyone involved in the problematic situation knows there is a problem but is often overwhelmed by it and has difficulty finding...

Selling Anger

Colossians 3:21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.               I would find it difficult to believe that I'm the only one to notice the trending anger and discouragement being expressed throughout the world. In North America, we...

That Day!

Luke 21:34 Be on your guard, so that your minds are not dulled from carousing, drunkenness, and worries of life, or that day will come on you unexpectedly.         1Thessalonians 5:2 For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a...

Things On My Heart

Proverbs 4:23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.         The things God has planted in your heart are important, and if you sense a burden to fulfill them, then you need to pick up the challenge. I was talking with my publisher...

Good News

Proverbs 12:25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.       Good news does not mean that no one got hurt for the news to be good news. When a war is finally over, it is good news for those who won the war. However, the winning army...

Crowned With Blessings

Proverbs 10:6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.         We are crowned with blessings. Prov. 10:6a Blessings crown the head of the righteous. Not only are we crowned with righteousness, but the Psalmist, when...

The Difference A Day Makes

Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. The day after John the Baptizer baptized Jesus and proclaimed Him the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, Andrew, one of John's disciples left and followed Jesus. Andrew...

The Crown Of Man

Proverbs 27:24 For riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations.              Kings and queens are crowned with jewels and gold that represent the richness of the kingdom and the power that reigning monarchs have. Historically kings and queens...

They

Proverbs 4:16 For they can’t sleep unless they have done what is evil; they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble.         Who are they? You know what they say. They have made the decision. They cannot be beaten. They are running everything into the...

AudioReads

Darkness Bleeds

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvnlBYHLQb0 It is easy to flow with the crowd. Make up your own mind on what you see going on in people's lives.

Spiritually Empty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrzTcPZcWQ8   If you find yourself spiritually empty, then fill yourself up with God and all that He has for you.

God In A Box

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nFLy9PTBMNI We cannot contain God within any human device or box. However, we can have Him live in our hearts. How great is that?