Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 

Ephesians 5:1   

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.  

I Corinthians 11:1 

How shall we learn to be imitators of God, that is, imitators of Christ? Paul makes a bold statement, which we have set as the second portion of our text. He says, ‘Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.’ We want to be imitators of Christ, yet He is no longer physically here. Having said that, He does in every age give us people who have grown in grace, and in the imitation of Christ, who are good role models. They are not necessarily the people who have set themselves up as such. In fact, some of the more well known, leaders of religion have proven themselves to be exactly who we should not imitate. They have spoken of spiritual things with loud voices, and abused the vulnerable behind the scenes. These are not followers of Christ regardless of how they self-advertise. What Paul is saying is that as we learn to imitate Christ we may take from the life of someone like Paul what savors of Christ. No one imitates Christ perfectly no matter how good they are. All of us have feet of clay and exhibit, at times, glaring inconsistencies. Yet there are things we can learn from those who genuinely imitate Christ. These are solid examples whom God sets before us to help us learn to walk as He walked.  

Our Wise and Gracious God, 
we rejoice that You have raised up before us 
people who follow You. 
We praise You that we can learn from them.  

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. 

Ephesians 5:1   

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.  

I Corinthians 11:1 

How shall we learn to be imitators of God, that is, imitators of Christ? Paul makes a bold statement, which we have set as the second portion of our text. He says, ‘Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.’ We want to be imitators of Christ, yet He is no longer physically here. Having said that, He does in every age give us people who have grown in grace, and in the imitation of Christ, who are good role models. They are not necessarily the people who have set themselves up as such. In fact, some of the more well known, leaders of religion have proven themselves to be exactly who we should not imitate. They have spoken of spiritual things with loud voices, and abused the vulnerable behind the scenes. These are not followers of Christ regardless of how they self-advertise. What Paul is saying is that as we learn to imitate Christ we may take from the life of someone like Paul what savors of Christ. No one imitates Christ perfectly no matter how good they are. All of us have feet of clay and exhibit, at times, glaring inconsistencies. Yet there are things we can learn from those who genuinely imitate Christ. These are solid examples whom God sets before us to help us learn to walk as He walked.  

Our Wise and Gracious God, 
we rejoice that You have raised up before us 
people who follow You. 
We praise You that we can learn from them.  

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning