“Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” – 1st Corinthians 11:1 (NKJV)
We live in a world obsessed with image – public personas curated through social media, reputations built on stage presence or leadership ability, etc.
But as disciples of Jesus, we are called to follow His example and become like Him, as we read in John 13:15 and Romans 13:14. We can also be helped by imitating other mature Christian servants who provide us with spiritual encouragement (1st Thessalonians 2:14).
Our freedom in Christ, however, is not a license to do whatever we want but a call to follow in Christ’s footsteps. Jesus told His disciples, “…If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”(Matthew 16:24, NKJV). The first action is to deny oneself. This is a deliberate choice to surrender personal agendas, preferences, and identities that compete with Christ’s Lordship. It’s re-centering our lives around Jesus rather than self.
Friends, imitating the example of Jesus involves dying to self, as Christ Himself demonstrated. I encourage you to reflect on the following:
- Whose life has influenced your walk with Christ, and why?
- What specific qualities or practices in their life pointed you to Jesus?
- If someone imitated your private life, what would they learn about God?
- Would they see dependence, humility, and love, or something else?
- Where is God calling you to grow in private faithfulness?
- Is there a hidden area of your life that needs confession, surrender, or renewal?
- How often do you think about living before the face of God?
- What would change if that truth shaped your everyday decisions?
- When you fall short, do you model repentance well?
- What does it look like to show others not just your strength, but your dependence on grace?
Paul boldly invites the church to “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” This isn’t about ego or copying His divine role; it’s to deliberately pattern your thoughts, attitudes, and actions after Jesus – it’s about example. It’s a call every believer [and human being] must consider. Amen!
Read: Ephesians 4:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 2:12
Bible Reading Guide: Psalm 47; Luke 18:1-30; Deuteronomy 28:15-68