Imitating Christ
Imitating Christ in the Bible refers to the call for believers to emulate the character, actions, and teachings of Jesus Christ as a model for their own lives. The Apostle Paul emphasizes this concept in several of his epistles. For instance, in 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul states, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ," suggesting that following his example is synonymous with following Christ's teachings and lifestyle. This imitation goes beyond mere external behavior; it encompasses a transformation of the heart and mind, as depicted in Philippians 2:5, where Paul instructs, "Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus." Furthermore, the New Testament provides a comprehensive understanding of what it means to imitate Christ. In Ephesians 5:1-2, believers are urged to "be imitators of God, as beloved children," and to walk in love, mirroring the selfless love that Christ demonstrated through His sacrificial death (John 15:13). Imitating Christ involves embodying virtues such as humility, compassion, forgiveness, and servanthood, as exemplified in His earthly ministry (Matthew 20:28). Ultimately, imitating Christ is not only about replicating His actions but also about developing a relationship with Him that transforms one’s character to reflect His likeness, aligning one's life with the principles of the Kingdom of God.
Imitating Christ11
The Lineage of Jesus
By Zac Poonen1.8K54:19GEN 4:4DAN 6:22HEB 4:15HEB 7:16HEB 8:6HEB 11:40In this sermon, the speaker shares the story of Sadhu Sundar Singh, a young boy who was desperate to encounter God. He threatened to take his own life if God did not reveal Himself to him. To his surprise, he saw a vision of Jesus instead of the religious figures he expected. This encounter transformed his life completely. The speaker emphasizes the message of hope in the first chapter of the Bible, which offers a permanent change for those whose lives are chaotic and empty. The sermon encourages listeners to cry out to God, recognizing their own helplessness and weakness, and to have faith that God desires to meet with them and bless them. The power of an indestructible life is highlighted, which allows believers to live transparently without hiding anything. The speaker concludes by stating that having a great thirst for God's truth and having faith are the two requirements for receiving valuable blessings from God.
How Lives Are Built
By K.P. Yohannan0MAT 11:28LUK 6:28JHN 17:15ROM 8:28HEB 5:8K.P. Yohannan emphasizes the importance of responding to life's challenges by reflecting the character of Jesus. He shares a story of a leader who faced betrayal from two disciples, encouraging him to bless those who left rather than retaliate. Through trials, believers can grow in maturity and Christlikeness, as exemplified by Jesus and biblical figures like Abraham and Paul. Yohannan reminds us that true transformation takes time and is a daily process, urging us to seek Jesus in Scripture to learn how to imitate Him in our lives. Ultimately, he reassures that all things work together for good for those who love God, as we are conformed to the image of His Son.
This Perfect Pattern
By Thomas Brooks0MAT 5:16JHN 13:15ROM 8:291CO 11:1EPH 5:1PHP 2:5COL 3:17HEB 12:11PE 2:211JN 2:6Thomas Brooks emphasizes that a true Christian's life should reflect the character of Christ, as stated in 1 John 2:6. He urges believers to follow Christ's moral virtues, as He is the only perfect pattern for living. Brooks highlights that those who strive to emulate Christ are the happiest among God's children. The sermon calls for a deep commitment to walking in the footsteps of Jesus, as outlined in 1 Peter 2:21.
Back to Spurgeon's Morning and Evening Devotional Index
By C.H. Spurgeon0MAT 5:16EPH 5:11PE 2:21C.H. Spurgeon emphasizes that Christians should embody a striking likeness of Jesus Christ, serving as living biographies of Him through their words and actions. He encourages believers to boldly profess their faith, imitate Christ's loving spirit, and demonstrate holiness in their daily lives. Spurgeon highlights the importance of being zealous for God, self-denying, fervent in prayer, and patient, while also urging Christians to forgive their enemies as Christ did. The ultimate goal is for others to recognize that they have been with Jesus by observing their Christ-like behavior. This call to action serves as a reminder of the transformative power of living out one's faith authentically.
The Walk
By A.B. Simpson0LUK 2:49JHN 4:34JHN 5:30JHN 6:38JHN 13:34PHP 2:51JN 2:6A.B. Simpson emphasizes the importance of walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, as outlined in 1 John 2:6. He highlights that Christ's life serves as the ultimate example for believers, showcasing His love, humility, and dedication to God's will. Simpson encourages Christians to aspire to emulate Christ's character and actions in their daily lives, emphasizing that true discipleship involves a deep longing to reflect His image. He also discusses the principles, motives, and activities that defined Jesus' life, urging believers to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance in their journey of faith. Ultimately, the sermon calls for a life of self-sacrifice, love, and active service, mirroring the life of Christ.
What Is a Christian?
By Horatius Bonar0JHN 13:34ROM 15:13GAL 5:22COL 3:11TH 5:17TIT 2:14HEB 11:1JAS 2:171PE 1:151PE 2:21Horatius Bonar emphasizes that a Christian is fundamentally a reflection of Christ, embodying His faith, prayer, hope, holiness, love, and zeal. He asserts that true Christians should not merely imitate other figures like Paul or Luther, but strive to follow Christ's example in every aspect of their lives. Bonar outlines that a Christian's life is characterized by unwavering faith, constant prayer, hopeful anticipation of glory, a commitment to holiness, a life of love, and fervent zeal for God's work. He encourages believers to grow in these attributes, ensuring they are not stagnant but continually transformed into Christ's likeness. Ultimately, Bonar calls for a deep, active faith that manifests in every action and thought.
Epistles of John Chapter 2 the Walk
By A.B. Simpson0LUK 2:49JHN 4:34JHN 13:34PHP 2:51JN 2:6A.B. Simpson emphasizes the call for Christians to walk as Jesus walked, highlighting that our conduct should reflect His character and life. He discusses the importance of understanding the motives, principles, and standards that guided Christ, urging believers to imitate His love, devotion, and service. Simpson illustrates how Jesus' life serves as a complete example for all stages of life and encourages a deep longing to embody Christ's character. He concludes by reminding us that through the Holy Spirit, we can be transformed to reflect Christ's image in our daily lives.
The Christlike Life
By Andrew Murray0PHP 2:5Andrew Murray emphasizes that our attitude should mirror that of Christ Jesus, who, despite being God, chose humility and self-sacrifice. He highlights that Christ's character was defined by obedience to God's will and love for humanity, culminating in His death on the cross. Murray encourages believers to imitate this self-emptying attitude, asserting that while it may seem impossible, with God, all things are possible. He reminds us that we are called to work out our salvation with reverence, as God empowers us to obey and please Him. The ultimate goal is to embody the attitude of Christ in our daily lives.
1 John 2:6
By John Gill0JHN 6:56ROM 8:38EPH 5:21JN 2:6John Gill emphasizes that those who claim to abide in Christ must also walk as He walked, reflecting a life of faith and obedience. He explains that being in Christ means being secure and united with Him, enjoying a relationship that provides peace and comfort. The call to imitate Christ is not about replicating His miraculous works but rather embodying His grace and love, particularly in our relationships with others. Gill highlights the importance of walking in love, as Christ did, and suggests that this love should be constant and sacrificial when necessary. Ultimately, believers are encouraged to make Christ's example the standard for their own lives.
Copying but a Fragment
By J.R. Miller0ROM 12:41JN 2:6J.R. Miller emphasizes the diversity of character among Christians, noting that while all strive to imitate Christ, each individual reflects different aspects of His likeness. He explains that this variety arises from God's design, as He endows each person with unique gifts and traits, allowing for a multitude of expressions of faith. Miller illustrates that just as artists capture different views of the same landscape, Christians each highlight different features of Christ's character in their lives. He encourages believers to appreciate the unique paths and services of others, recognizing that all are valuable in their own right. Ultimately, he calls for unity in diversity, urging Christians to honor one another's distinct contributions to the body of Christ.
Putting on Christ
By Charles Finney0MAT 5:16JHN 15:5ROM 13:142CO 5:17GAL 2:20EPH 4:24PHP 2:5COL 3:101PE 2:211JN 2:6Charles Finney emphasizes the command to 'put on the Lord Jesus Christ' as a call to imitate Christ's character and live selflessly for the well-being of others. He outlines the implications of this command, including the necessity of deep study of Christ's character, the importance of intention and belief in one's ability to embody Christ, and the universal obligation to obey this command for salvation. Finney warns of the consequences of both obeying and disobeying this command, highlighting that true obedience leads to peace, joy, and a representation of God's character, while disobedience results in hypocrisy and spiritual ruin. Ultimately, he calls for a genuine commitment to live as Christ would in every aspect of life.