Every Christian wants to be like Jesus. We read the Bible we know we are supposed to live and act like Him but knowing what that should look like is not easy. The writer of Hebrews tells us a way to start.
"that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Hebrews 6:12
There has got to be someone in your life that you look up to spiritually. While no one is perfect, there are those in all of our lives who have been walking the faith and are accomplishing a fulfilled destiny in Christ. This passage says, recognize those who you see who through faith and patience are inheriting the promise and imitate them. The word translated "imitate" stresses mimicry, more like an actor learning to portray someone for a movie. It is the intense study of a person's character, nature, and actions so you might imitate them precisely. It is what the Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1. There should be someone in your life that is imitating Christ well enough that they can be an example for your growth so you can also inherit the promises.
If an actor portrays the person long enough, everyone will be convinced that they are the person they portray. God brings people into all of our lives that are, through their faith and patience, becoming more like Jesus every day. An easier way for each of us to grow is to watch their lives and become more like them as they become more like Christ.
If you are feeling bad, afraid, anxious, choose instead to "act" like the person you know who is walking like Christ. It is not hypocritical to act this way we are told in Romans 13:14 to in every way put on Christ. When we don't feel like smiling we smile to help people see Jesus, we love when we feel unlovable because someone has a need. Then we go to those that we are imitating and ask for their help to become what we have portrayed to help others.
I know this may be a hard thing for some to grasp but this is simply a way that we die to ourselves and live as Christ for others. Imitating others to grow to become like Christ. Laying down our pain, insecurities, anxieties to minister to others then allowing those we trust to minister to us.
I hope you have someone in your life you can imitate. It will only help you to grow to reflect Jesus! One last question...if others were to imitate you would they be reflecting Jesus in all things?
1 comment:
I pray that I am a reflection of Jesus, that others may see Him in & through me! My mom was such an example of Christ, her life was not always the greatest but she always encouraged, uplifted and poured out to others. after she passed I asked God to let me carry on her legacy and was even given a Word that I was to take her torch that God was giving me her mantle I just pray that I can be all that she was. We never know the storms others are going through but one thing I have learned is as I am going through my own it seems easier if I am helping someone else, even if it's just by smiling when I feel like crying or encouraging someone while I'm so discouraged or just saying hello when really I don't "feel" like being nice! I truly want God to look to me and say "well done, good & faithful servant".
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