1 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore, urge you, imitate me.
11:1 Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.
One of the boldest statements in all scripture is made not once but twice by the apostle Paul, “Imitate me.” Paul was writing to a group of believers who were blessed with strong spiritual gifts from the Lord, but whom had great difficulty separating themselves from the ways of the world. Obviously, they were having a hard time understanding what a Christ-like should appear, and even a more difficult time walking it. Therefore, Paul offered himself as a living example by challenging them to “imitate me.” This statement may appear brash or arrogant on the surface (and it would be if made from a pompous heart) but this was not the case. Paul’s statement flowed from a heart of humility and confidence. Humbly, he understood the magnitude of his challenge for himself and his readers as a failure of him to live a proper example of Christ would place him in great jeopardy of Christ’s judgment and place his readers in danger of a wayward walk. Yet, his dependence was on Christ and not on himself as he could not provide the proper example apart from the power of Christ in him and through him. He was confident in Christ’s provision. His heart was pure and his understanding was clear that as believers we are to be living letters to others to teach them the ways of Christ. We are to be the world’s examples of Christ as we are His body. As Paul, we must not be arrogant but humbly confident in our faith and in our walk. May we, as him, not fear to make ourselves examples of Christ and even challenge young believers, “If you want to live like Jesus, imitate me.”
