{"id":53222,"date":"2023-04-03T13:52:09","date_gmt":"2023-04-03T20:52:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/?p=53222"},"modified":"2023-04-04T07:11:27","modified_gmt":"2023-04-04T14:11:27","slug":"imitating","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/imitating\/","title":{"rendered":"Imitating"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

To some, imitation describes a cheap knockoff, something masquerading as genuine but is just a counterfeit in reality. To others, imitation is \u201cthe sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay to greatness\u201d (Oscar Wilde). So, imitation is either pretending to be something it isn\u2019t, or it\u2019s trying to be something it can\u2019t. Neither of these descriptions get at the heart of the New Testament\u2019s emphasis on imitating others. Let\u2019s learn more about how the NT describes imitation with some help from the Life Application Bible Commentary on the New Testament<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imitator<\/em> in the New Testament is the Greek word \u03bc\u03b9\u03bc\u03b7\u03c4\u03ae\u03c2 (mimetes<\/em>) and means one who is like another. The verbal form (\u03bc\u03b9\u03bc\u03ad\u03bf\u03bc\u03b1\u03b9) means to follow another\u2019s example. There are obvious similarities between this word, the Greek word \u03bc\u1fd1\u03bc\u03b9\u03ba\u03cc\u03c2\/\u03bc\u1fd6\u03bc\u03bf\u03c2, the Latin m\u012bmicus<\/em>, and their resemblance with the English words mimic or mimicry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imitating Paul\u20141 Corinthians 11:1<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

This verse belongs at the conclusion of chapter 10<\/a>, not at the beginning of chapter 11<\/a>, where it has been traditionally placed. Paul had just told the Corinthians that his goal was to seek the good of others, not himself. In this regard, Paul called upon them to imitate him. Elsewhere Paul had encouraged the believers to imitate him. In 4:15-16, he had stated, \u201cFor even if you had ten thousand others to teach you about Christ, you have only one spiritual father. For I became your father in Christ Jesus when I preached the Good News to you. So I urge you to imitate me\u201d (NLT).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As in chapter 4<\/a>, Paul\u2019s words were not prideful. He had just spent three chapters explaining how the Corinthian believers needed to deal with the issue of eating meat that had been offered to idols. His conclusion of the matter balanced freedom in Christ with responsibility to love the \u201cweaker\u201d believers. All Christians should be so focused on bringing others to Christ that nothing stands in the way of that goal. Paul followed his own advice (see 8:13<\/a>; 10:33<\/a>) and encouraged the believers to follow his example. The reason they could do so? Because he followed Christ\u2019s example\u2014just as I also imitate Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1 Corinthians 4:14-16<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I do not write these things to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn you. For though you might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet you do not have many fathers; for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Therefore I urge you, imitate me.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Paul was confident, even forceful, in his unique relationship with the Corinthian church. He had introduced many of them to Jesus Christ and told the Corinthians to imitate him. He was able to make this statement because he walked close to God, spent time in God\u2019s Word and in prayer, and was aware of God\u2019s presence in his life at all times. God was Paul\u2019s example; therefore, Paul\u2019s life could be an example to other Christians. Paul wasn\u2019t expecting others to imitate everything he did, but they should imitate those aspects of his beliefs and conduct that were modeling Christ\u2019s way of living. Make it a point to identify Christlike character traits in the people you allow to shape your life. Influences you cannot trace back to Christ cannot truthfully claim your commitment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul\u2019s tough words were motivated by love\u2014like the love a good father has for his children. Because the church could trust him, they could also imitate him, so he boldly explained that they could follow his example.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imitating God\u2014Ephesians 5:1<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Just as children imitate their parents, we should be imitators of God. His great love for us led him to sacrifice his Son so that we might live. We imitate God by following his example in Christ, emulating his attributes in our lives (see 1 Peter 2:21<\/a>). The following verse (5:2<\/a>) shows that Christ\u2019s example of forgiveness should be the pattern we follow. The word \u201cbe\u201d means \u201cbecome.\u201d Paul understood that this is a process. Because of our relationship with God through Christ and the power given us through the Spirit, we are to become Godlike in our characteristics and obedient disciples in our lifestyles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Behavioral scientists have discovered an interesting phenomenon called \u201cimprinting\u201d in the early development of some animals. At certain critical stages, whatever other animal, object, or person the young animal is exposed to is taken to be its \u201cparent.\u201d If a young goose is \u201cimprinted\u201d with a dog, the gosling will see the dog as its mother. Paul says that such imprinting should happen in Christian growth. We should walk so closely with Jesus that he imprints on us his nature: loving, serving, sacrificing, pleasing to God the Father. Stay close to him through Bible study, prayer, fellowship, and evangelism so that you are always in a position to be transformed into his image.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imitating Churches\u20141 Thessalonians 1:6; 2:14<\/strong><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

And you became followers of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Spirit . . . For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Jesus had told his disciples that because he suffered, so would they. The disciples had already faced much suffering: Just before coming to Thessalonica, Paul and Silas had been beaten and imprisoned in Philippi (Acts 16:16-40<\/a>). Paul faced \u201csevere suffering\u201d during much of his ministry (some of these sufferings are recorded in 2 Corinthians 11:16-33<\/a>). So when the Thessalonian believers suffered for their faith, they were in good company. Through that suffering, they imitated the missionaries and the Lord himself (2:14<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The last statement of 2:13<\/a> points out that God\u2019s Word continues to work in believers. One evidence of this work was the Thessalonian believers\u2019 fortitude when they suffered persecution from [their] own countrymen\u2014the Greeks in Thessalonica. But the believers in Thessalonica had good company, for in that persecution they had actually imitated the believers in God\u2019s churches in Judea. Not that they had planned on this imitation\u2014but in the way they faced and withstood persecution, they were just like the churches in Judea (see 1:6<\/a>). While Acts 17:5-10<\/a> seems to indicate mostly Jewish opposition, it is certainly true that the Gentile Greeks were part of the opposition because the Christians refused to participate in the imperial religion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Imitating Leaders<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The New Testament places strong emphasis on imitating leaders. It also gives strong words to those leaders that they be worthy of emulation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n