People Imitate Me?

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul twice makes this statement “Imitate me”.

1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1

My encouragement to each of us, invite others into your lives as you follow Jesus. Opening your life as an example of what it is to follow Christ, flaws and all.

Over the last school holidays we had two of our grandchildren stay with us, Miyrah and Whindsor. It was wonderful to have them for four nights, especially sharing dinner and bible stories before going to bed. Whindsor really enjoyed praying grace at dinner and also our bedtime prayers. Over those days, he wanted to say grace himself and also started praying at other times. He began to follow my example because he knew it was important to me to talk to God. But God was also doing something in his heart, growing that desire to connect with God. This is the pathway of making disciples, sharing our lives and love of Christ with others.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul twice makes this statement “Imitate me”. Firstly in 1 Corinthians 4:16 as he is appealing to them to reject false teaching and arrogance and come back to the gospel. And then again in 11:1 as he urges the church to be discerning with their freedom in Christ by remembering and considering others. Here he says, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ”.

What was Paul trying to achieve? Was this an arrogant statement? Was he saying he was better than the Corinthian church and they should idolise him?

No, this was not arrogance or pride, Paul knew he was the chief of all sinners saved by grace. But Paul was highlighting the pathway of disciple making. Followers of Jesus are forged through the Word, Spirit, and Community. Disciples need to be able to see, experience, ask questions, and be guided by other disciples as they follow Jesus. It is not arrogance but a wonderful privilege and responsibility. It calls on each of us to be

accountable to God and each other. It calls each of us to invite other disciples into our world, our lives, our failings, and our discoveries.

My encouragement to each of us, invite others into your lives as you follow Jesus. Opening your life as an example of what it is to follow Christ, flaws and all. As we do this, we help others along the path of authentic discipleship. It is a wonderful privilege and blessing to the body of Christ.

God bless.

Pastor Stephen