A Life Worth Imitating

…remember those who led you who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Heb 13:7

I read this verse today and thought of those in my life that I would consider worthy to imitate. What makes a person worth imitating? But wait aren’t we to be imitators of God? (Eph 5:1) What does God’s word say about imitating others? Paul says in 1 Cor 11:1  to “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.” We find similar thoughts in 1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Thess 1:6, 2:1; and Heb 6:12.

The word imitate means “To copy the actions, appearance, mannerisms, or speech of.” If you’ve lived long enough we all know that someone is going to follow us or be influenced by us or the life we live. We all have had a younger sibling, a child, a friend, or co-worker look up to us. Then there are those we don’t even know about; who watch us from a distance.

We all are examples to someone the question is what kind of example are we? Are we living a life that would point them to Christ? Do we live a life that is worthy of following? A life worth following is a life that imitates Christ.(1 Pet 2:21)

My life should be lived in such a way that as others look up to me, or follow me that my life would lead them to Christ. I am not worthy to follow if I am not following Christ. So as 1 Tim 4:12-16 says I need to be a student of God’s word, I should not neglect the spiritual gifts given me, and I should take great pains in these things so that it’s evident to all. I need to pay close attention what I am teaching. I need to persevere in my walk.

I should live a life that influences others in positive ways according to biblical standards. I need to be a model of Christian virtues, virtues of true spirituality and of Christ likeness.

Paul’s life imitated Christ and because he imitated Christ he could encourage his disciples to imitate his walk. But Paul’s purpose in that was that his life might lead them to imitate Christ.

I want to follow Christ. I want my life to imitate Christ. When someone looks at me I want them to see Christ.

Oh Father forgive me for those areas that does not imitate you. Show me how to live a life that will lead others to You. Help me to walk in a manner worthy of Christ.