Jesus was meant to be immitated

JESUS WAS MEANT TO BE IMMITATED
EDITED BY GLENN PEASE
SPURGEON
Christ’s People—Imitators OfHim
BEHOLD! What a change Divine grace will work in a man and in how short a
time! That same Peter, who so lately followedhis Masterafar off and with
oaths and curses denied that he knew His name, is now to be found side by
side with the loving John, boldly declaring that there is salvationin none other
name save that of Jesus Christ. They are preaching the resurrection of the
dead through the sacrifice ofhis dying Lord. The Scribes and Pharisees soon
discoverthe reasonofhis boldness. Rightly did they guess that it rested not in
his learning or his talents, for neither Peternor John had been educated.
They had been trained as fishermen, their education was a knowledge ofthe
sea–ofthe fisherman’s craft–none other had they. Their boldness could not,
therefore, spring from the self-sufficiencyof knowledge, but from the Spirit of
the living God. Nor did they acquire their courage from their station. For
rank will confera sort of dignity upon a man and make him speak with a
feigned authority even when he has no talent or genius. But these men were,
as it says in the original text, “idiotai, private men who stood in no official
capacity”–menwithout rank or station.
When they saw the boldness of Peterand John and perceivedthat they were
unlearned and private individuals, they marveled and they came to a right
conclusionas to the source of their power–theyhad been dwelling with Jesus.
Their conversationwith the Prince of light and glory, backedup, as they
might also have known, by the influence of the Holy Spirit–without which
even that eminently holy example would have been in vain–had made them
bold for their Master’s cause. Oh, my Brethren, it were well if this
commendation, so forcedfrom the lips of enemies, could also be compelled by
our own example!
If we could live like Peterand John. If our lives were “living Epistles of God,
known and read of all men.” If, wheneverwe were seen, men would take
knowledge ofus, that we had been with Jesus, it would be a happy thing for

this world and a blessedthing for us. It is concerning this I am to speak to you
this morning. And as God gives me grace I will endeavorto stir up your minds
by way of remembrance and urge you so to imitate Jesus Christ, our heavenly
Pattern, that men may perceive that you are disciples of the holy Son of God.
First then, this morning, I will tell you what a Christian should be. Secondly, I
will tell you when he should be so. Thirdly, why he should be so and then,
fourthly, how he can be so.
1. As God may help us then, first of all, we will speak of WHAT A
BELIEVER SHOULD BE.
A Christian should be a striking likeness of Jesus Christ. You have read lives
of Christ beautifully and eloquently written and you have admired the talent
of the persons who could write so well. But the best life of Christ is His living
biography, written out in the words and actions of His people. If we, my
Brethren, were what we profess to be–if the Spirit of the Lord were in the
heart of all His children, as we could desire–andif, insteadof having
abundance of formal professors,we were all possessors ofthat vital grace, I
will tell you not only what we ought to be but what we would be.
We would be pictures of Christ. Yes, such striking likenessesofHim, that the
world would not have to hold us up and say, “Well, it seems somewhatofa
likeness.”Insteadthey would, when they once beheld us, exclaim, “He has
been with Jesus!He has been taught of Him! He is like He is. He has caught
the very idea of the holy Man of Nazareth and he expands it out into his very
life and every day actions.”
In enlarging upon this point, it will be necessaryto premise that when we here
affirm that men should be such-andsuch a thing, we refer to the people of
God. We do not wish to speak to them in any legalway. We are not under the
Law, but under grace. Christianmen hold themselves bound to keepall God’s
precepts–butthe reasonwhy they do so is not because the Law is binding
upon them, but because the Gospelconstrains them. They believe that having
been redeemedby blood Divine–having been purchased by Jesus Christ–they
are more bound to keepHis commands than they would have been if they
were under the Law.
They hold themselves to be ten thousand-fold more debtors to God than they
could have been under the Mosaic dispensation. Notof force. Notof
compulsion. Notthrough fear of the whip. Notthrough legal bondage. But
through pure, disinterestedlove and gratitude to God they lay themselves out
for His service seeking to be Israelites, indeed, in whom there is no guile. This
much I have declaredlest any man should think that I am preaching works as

the wayto salvation–Iwill yield to none in this. I will ever maintain that by
grace we are saved–andnot by ourselves or our works.
But equally must I testify, that where the grace of God is, it will produce
fitting works. To these I am everbound to exhort you–you are everexpected
to have goodworks for necessarypurposes. Again–I do not, when I say that a
Believershould be a striking likeness ofJesus, suppose that any one Christian
will perfectly exhibit all the features of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Yet,
my Brethren, the fact that perfectionis beyond our reachshould not diminish
the ardor of our desire after it. The artist, when he paints, knows right well
that he shall not be able to excelApelles. But that does not discourage him. He
uses his brush with all the greaterpains, that he may at leastin some humble
measure resemble the greatmaster.
So, too, the sculptor–thoughpersuaded that he will not rival Praxiteles–he will
still hew out the marble and seek to be as near the model as possible. Just so
the Christian man–though he feels he never can mount to the height of
complete excellence and perceives that he never can on earth become the exact
image of Christ–he still holds it up before him and measures his own
deficiencies by the distance betweenhimself and Jesus. This he will do,
forgetting all he has attained and he will press forward, crying, Excelsior!
going upwards still, desiring to be conformed more and more to the image of
Christ Jesus.
First then, a Christian should be like Christ in His boldness. This is a virtue
nowadays calledimpudence but the grace is equally valuable by whatever
name it may be called. I suppose if the Scribes had given a definition of Peter
and John, they would have calledthem impudent fellows. Jesus Christand
His disciples were noted for their courage. “Whenthey saw the boldness of
Peterand John, they took knowledge ofthem, that they had been with Jesus.”
Jesus Christ never fawned upon the rich. He stoopednot to the greatand
noble, He stood erect, a man before men–the Prophet of the people, speaking
out boldly and freely what He thought.
Have you ever admired that mighty deed of His, when going to the city where
He had lived and been brought up–knowing that a Prophet had no honor in
His own country–the opportunity was put into His hands. He had but then
commencedHis ministry. Yet without tremor He unrolled the sacredvolume
and what did He take for His text? Mostmen, coming to their own
neighborhood would have chosena subject adapted to the taste in order to
earn fame. But what doctrine did Jesus preachthat morning? One which in
our age is scornedand hated–the doctrine of election.

He opened the Scriptures and began to read thus–“Manywidows were in
Israelin the days of Elijah, when the Heaven was shut up three years and six
months, when greatfamine was throughout all the land, but unto none of
them was Elias sent, save unto Sarepta a city of Sidon, unto a woman that was
a widow. And many lepers were in Israelin the time of Elisha the Prophet.
And none off them was cleansed, saving Naamanthe Syrian.” Then He began
to tell how God saves whomHe pleases andrescues whomHe chooses.
Ah, how they gnashedtheir teeth upon Him, draggedHim out and would have
castHim from the brow of the hill. Do you not admire His intrepidity? He saw
their teeth gnashing. He knew their hearts were hot with enmity while their
mouths foamed with revenge and malice–stillHe stoodlike the angelwho shut
the lion’s mouths. He fearedthem not. Faithfully He proclaimed what He
knew to be the Truth of God and still read on despite them all. So in His
discourses. IfHe saw a Scribe or a Pharisee in the congregation, He did not
keepback part of the price, but pointing His finger, He said, “Woe Unto you,
Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites.”
And when a lawyer came, saying, “Master, in speaking thus, you condemn us
also,” He turned round and said, “Woe unto you, lawyers, for you bind heavy
burdens upon men, while you yourselves will not touch them with so much as
one of your fingers.” He dealt out honesttruth, He never knew the fearof
man. He trembled at none. He stoodout as God’s chosenwhom He had
anointed above His fellows, careless ofman’s esteem. My Friends, be like
Christ in this. Have none of the time-serving religion of the present dyes,
which is merely exhibited in evangelicaldrawing rooms–a religionwhich only
flourishes in a hot-bed atmosphere, a religion which is only to be perceived in
goodcompany.
No, if you are the servants of God, be like Jesus Christ, bold for your Master.
Neverblush to own your religion. Your professionwill never disgrace you.
Take care you never disgrace that. Your love to Christ will never dishonor
you, it may bring some temporary slight from your Friends, or slanders from
your enemies–butlive on and you shall live down their calumnies. Live on and
you shall stand among the glorified, honored even by those who hissed you
when He shall come to be glorified by His angels and admired by them that
love Him. Be like Jesus, veryvaliant for your God–so thatwhen they shall see
your boldness, they may say, “He has been with Jesus.”
But no one feature will give a portrait of a man–so the one virtue of boldness
will never make you like Christ. There have been some who have been noble
men but have carriedtheir courage to excess. Theyhave thus been caricatures
of Christ and not portraits of Him. We must amalgamate with our boldness

the loveliness ofJesus'disposition. Let courage be the brass. Let love be the
gold. Let us mix the two togetherthat we might produce a rich Corinthian
metal fit to be manufactured into the beautiful gate of the temple. Let your
love and courage be mingled together.
The man who is bold may indeed accomplishwonders. John Knox did much
but be might perhaps have done more if he had had a little love. Luther was a
conqueror–peaceto his ashes and honor to his name! Still, we who look upon
him at a distance think that if he had sometimes mixed a little mildness with
it–if while he had been fortiter in re he had been also suaviterin modo and
spokensomewhatmore gently, he might have done even more goodthan he
did.
So, Brethren, while we, too, are bold, let us ever imitate the loving Jesus. The
child comes to Him–He takes it on His knee, saying, “Suffer little children to
come unto Me and forbid them not.” A widow has just lost her only son–He
weeps at the bier and with a word restores life to the dead man. He sees a
paralytic, a leper, or a man long confined to his bed. He speaks,they rise and
are healed. He lived for others, not for Himself. His constantlabors were
without any motive except the goodof those who lived in the world. And to
crownall, you know the mighty sacrifice He made when He condescendedto
lay down His life for man–whenon the tree, quivering with agony and
hanging in the utmost extremity of suffering, He submitted to die for our
sakes–thatwe might be saved.
Behold in Christ love consolidated!He was one mighty pillar of benevolence.
As God is Love, so Christ is Love. Oh, Christians, be loving also!Let your love
and your beneficence beamout on all men. Say not, “Be you warmed and be
you filled,” but “give a portion to sevenand also to eight.” If you cannot
imitate Him and unlock the prison doors–ifyou cannot visit the sad house of
misery–yet eachin your proper sphere speak kind words, do kind actions, live
out Christ againin the kindness of your life. If there is one virtue which most
commends Christians, it is that of kindness. It is to love the people of God, to
love the Church, to love the Word, to love all.
But how many have we in our churches crab-tree Christians, who have mixed
such a vast amount of vinegar and such a tremendous quantity of gall in their
constitutions, that they canscarcelyspeak one goodword to you. They
imagine it impossible to defend religionexcept by passionate, boiling
emotions. They cannot speak for their dishonored Masterwithout being angry
with their opponent. They are mad if anything is awry, whether it be in the
house, the Church, or anywhere else. Theyconceive it to be their duty to set
their faces like a flint and to defy everybody.

They are like isolatedicebergs–no one cares to go near them. They float about
on the sea of forgetfulness until at last they are melted and gone. And though,
goodsouls–we shallbe happy enough to meet them in Heaven–we are heartily
glad to get rid of them from the earth. They were always so unamiable in
disposition that we would rather live an eternity with them in Heaven, than
five minutes on earth. Be you not thus, my Brethren. Imitate Christ in your
loving spirits. Speak kindly, act kindly and do kindly, that men may say of
you, “He has been with Jesus.”
Another greatfeature in the life of Christ, was His deep and sincere humility,
in which let us, by God’s grace, imitate Him. While we will not cringe or bow–
far from it–we are the freemen whom the Truth makes free. We walk through
this world equal to all, inferior to none–yetwe would endeavorto be like
Christ continually humble. Oh, you proud Christian–for though it is a
paradox there must be some–Iwould not be so uncharitable as to say that
there are not some such persons–ifyou are a Christian I bid you look at your
Mastertalking to the children.
Look at Him bending from the majesty of His divinity to speak to mankind on
earth, tabernacling with the peasants ofGalilee and then–yes, depth of
condescensionunparalleled–washing His disciples' feetand wiping then with
the towelafter supper. This is your Masterwhom you profess to worship. This
is your Lord, whom you adore. And you, some of you who count yourselves
Christians, cannot speak to a personwho is not dressedin the same kind of
clothing as yourselves, who has not exactlyas much money per year as you
have.
In England it is true that a sovereignwill not speak to a shilling and a shilling
will not notice a sixpence and a sixpence will sneer at a penny. But it should
not be so with Christians. We ought to forgetcaste, degree andrank when we
come into Christ’s church. Recollect, Christian, who your Masterwas–a man
of the poor. He lived with them. He ate with them. And will you walk with
lofty heads and stiff necks, looking with insufferable contempt upon your
meaner fellow worms? What are you? The meanestof all–becauseyour
trickeries and adornments make you proud. Pitiful, despicable souls you are!
How small you look in God’s sight! Christ was humble. He stoopedto do
anything which might serve others He had no pride. He was a humble man, a
Friend of publicans and sinners, living and walking with them. So, Christian,
be like your Master–onewho can stoop. Yes, be one who thinks it not
stooping, but rather esteems others better than himself, counts it his honor to
sit with the poorestof Christ’s people and says, “If my name may be but

written in the obscurestpart of the Book ofLife it is enough for me, so
unworthy am I of His notice!” Be like Christ in His humility.
So might I continue, dearBrethren, speaking of the various characteristicsof
Christ Jesus. Butas you can think of them as wellas I can, I shall not do so. It
is easyfor you to sit down and paint Jesus Christ, for you have Him drawn
out here in His word. I find that time would fail me if I were to give you an
entire likeness ofJesus. But let me say, imitate Him in His holiness. Was He
zealous for His Father? So be you. Ever go about doing good. Let not time be
wasted. It is too precious. Was He self-denying, never looking to His own
interest? So be you.
Was He devout? So be you fervent in your prayers. Had He deference to His
Father’s will? So submit yourselves to Him. Was He patient? So learn to
endure. And best of all, as the highest portraiture of Jesus, try to forgive your
enemies, as He did. And let those sublime words of your Master, “Father,
forgive them, for they know not what they do,” always ring in your ears.
When you are prompted to revenge, when hot angerstarts, bridle the steedat
once and let it not dash forward with you headlong.
Remember, anger is temporary insanity. Forgive as you hope to be forgiven.
Heap coals of fire on the head of your foe by your kindness to him. Good for
evil, recollect, is Godlike. Be Godlike then. And in all ways and by all means,
so live that your enemies may say, “He has been with Jesus.”
II. Now, WHEN SHOULD CHRISTIANS BE THUS? There is an idea in the
world that persons ought to be very religious on Sunday but it does not matter
what they are on Monday. How many pious preachers are there on the
SabbathDaywho are very impious preachers during the rest of the week?
How many are there who come up to the house of God with a solemn
countenance who join in the song and profess to pray, yet have neither part
nor lot in the matter, but are “in that gall of bitterness and in the bonds of
iniquity”? This is true of some of you who are present here.
When should a Christian, then, be like Jesus Christ? Is there a time when he
may strip off his regimentals–whenthe warrior may unbuckle his armor and
become like other men? Oh, no! At all times and in every place let the
Christian be what he professes to be. I remember talking some time ago with a
person who said, “I do not like visitors who come to my house and introduce
religion. I think we ought to have religion on the Sabbath-Dyes, whenwe go to
the house of God, but not in the drawing room.” I suggestedto the individual,
that there would be a greatdeal of work for the upholsterers if there were no
religion exceptin the house of God.

“How is that?” was the question. “Why,” I replied, “we should need to have
beds fitted up in all our places of worship, for surely we need religion to die
with and, consequently, everyone would want to die there.” Yes, we all need
the consolations of God at last. But how can we expect to enjoy them unless we
obey the precepts of religion during life? My Brethren, let me say, be like
Christ at all times, imitate Him in public. Mostof us live in some sortof
publicity. Many of us are called to work before our fellow men every day. We
are watched. Our words are caught. Our lives are examined–takento pieces.
The eagle-eyed, argue-eyedworldobserves everything we do. And sharp
critics are upon us.
Let us live the life of Christ in public. Let us take care that we exhibit our
Masterand not ourselves–so thatwe cansay, “It is no longerI that live, but
Christ that lives in me.” Take heedthat you carry this into the Church too,
you who are Church members. Be like Christ in the church. How many there
are of you like Diotrephes, seeking pre-eminence. How many are trying to
have some dignity and powerover their fellow Christians, instead of
remembering that it is the fundamental rule of all our churches, that all men
are equal Brethren, alike to be receivedas such. Carry out the spirit of Christ,
then, in your churches, whereveryou are. Let your fellow members say of
you, “He has been with Jesus.”
But, most of all, take care to have religion in your houses. A religious house is
the bestproof of true piety. It is not my chapel, it is my house–itis not my
minister–it is my home companion who can best judge me. It is the servant,
the child, the wife, the Friend, that can discern most of my real character. A
goodman will improve his household. RowlandHill once saidhe would not
believe a man to be a true Christian if his wife, his children, his servants and
even the dog and cat, were not the better for it. That is being religious. If your
household is not the better for your Christianity–if men cannotsay, “This is a
better house than others,” then be not deceived–youhave nothing of the grace
of God.
Let not your servant, on leaving your employ, say, “Well, this is a strange sort
of a religious family. There was no prayer in the morning. I began the day
with my drudgery. There was no prayer at night. I was keptat home all the
Sabbath-Day. Once a fortnight, perhaps, I was allowedto go out in the
afternoonwhen there was nowhere to go to where I could hear a Gospel
sermon. My master and mistress went to a place where, of course, they heard
the blessedGospelofGod–that was all for them. As for me, I might have the
dregs and leavings of some over-workedcurate in the afternoon.”

Surely Christian men will not act in that way. No! Carry out your godliness in
your family. Let everyone say that you have practicalreligion. Let it be known
and read in the house, as well as in the world. Take care ofyour character
there. For what we are there, we really are. Our life abroad is often but a
borrowedpart–actors part of a greatscene–butathome the wizard is
removed and men are what they seem. Take care ofyour home duties.
Yet again, my Brethren, before I leave the point imitate Jesus in secret. When
no eye sees youexcept the eye of God, when darkness covers you, when you
are shut up from the observationof mortals, even then be like Jesus Christ.
Remember His ardent piety, His secretdevotion–how, afterlaboriously
preaching the whole dyes, He stole awayin the midnight shades to cry for help
from His God. Recollecthow His entire life was constantlysustained by fresh
inspirations of the Holy Spirit, derived by prayer. Take care of your secret
life–let it be such that you will not be ashamedto read at the last greatday.
Your inner life is written in the book of God and it shall one day be opened
before you.
If the entire life of some of you were known, it would be no life at all–it would
be a death. Yes, even of some true Christian, we may say, it is scarce a life. It
is a dragging on of an existence–onehastyprayer a day–one breathing, just
enough to save our soulalive, but no more. O my Brethren, strive to be more
like Jesus Christ. These are times when we want more secretprayer. I have
had much fear all this week. I know not whether it is true. But when I feel
such a thing, I like to tell it to those of you who belong to my own church and
congregation. I have trembled, lest by being awayfrom our own place, you
have ceasedto pray as earnestlyas you once did.
I remember your earnestgroans and petitions–how you would assemble
togetherin the house of prayer in multitudes and cry out to God to help His
servant. We cannot meet in such style at present. But do you still pray in
private? Have you forgottenme? Have you ceasedto cry out to God? Oh, my
Friends, with all the entreaties that a man canuse, let me appealto you–
recollectwho I am and what I am–a child, having little education, little
learning, ability, or talent and here am I calledupon week afterweek to
preach to this crowdof people.
Will you not, my Beloved, still plead for me? Has not God been pleasedto
hear your prayers ten thousand times? And will you now cease, whena
mighty revival is taking place in many churches? Will you now stop your
petitions? Oh, no! Go to your houses, fall upon your knees, cry aloud to God
to enable you still to hold up your hands like Moses onthe hill, that Joshua
below may fight and overcome the Amalekites. Now is the time for victory–

shall we lose it? This is the high tide that will float us over the bar. Now let us
put out the oars. Let us pull by earnestprayer, crying for God the Spirit to fill
the sails!
You who love God, of every place and every denomination, wrestle for your
ministers, pray for them. For why should not God even now pour out His
Spirit? What is the reasonwhy we are to be denied Pentecostalseasons? Why
not this hour, as one mighty band, fall down before Him and entreatHim for
His Son’s sake, to revive His drooping church? Then would all men discern
that we are verily the disciples of Christ.
III. But now, thirdly, WHY SHOULD CHRISTIANS IMITATE CHRIST?
The answercomes very naturally and easily. Christians should be like Christ,
first, for their own sakes.Fortheir honesty’s sake and for their credit’s sake,
let them not be found liars before God and men. Fortheir own healthful state,
if they wish to be keptfrom sin and preservedfrom going astray, let them
imitate Jesus. Fortheir own happiness' sake, if they would drink wine on the
lees well refined. If they would enjoy holy and happy communion with Jesus,
if they would be lifted up above the cares and troubles of this world–let them
imitate Jesus Christ.
Oh, my Brethren, there is nothing that canso advantage you. Nothing that
can so prosper you, so assistyou, so make you walk towards Heaven rapidly,
so keepyour head upwards towards the sky and your eyes radiant with glory,
like the imitation of Jesus Christ. It is when by the powerof the Holy Spirit
you are enabled to walk with Jesus in His very footsteps and tread in His
ways, you are most happy. And you are most knownto be the sons of God.
For your own sake, my Brethren, I say, be like Christ.
Next, for religions sake strive to imitate Jesus. Ah, poor Religion, you have
been sorelyshot at by cruel foes but you have not been wounded one half so
much by them as by your friends. None have hurt you, O Christianity, so
much as those who profess to be your followers. Who have made these wounds
in this fair hand of Godliness? I saythe professorhas done this–the professor
who has not lived up to his profession. The man, who with pretences, enters
the fold, being nothing but a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Such men, Sirs, injure
the Gospelmore than others–more than the laughing infidel, more than the
sneering critic. No one hurts our cause more than does the man who professes
to love it but in his actions does lie.
Is the name of the dear Redeemerprecious to you? Would you see the
kingdoms of the world become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ? Do
you wish to see the proud man humbled and the mighty abased? Do you long

for the souls of perishing sinners and are you desirous to win them and save
their souls from everlasting burning? Would you prevent their fall into the
regions of the damned? Is it your desire that Christ should see the travail of
His soul and be abundantly satisfied? Doesyour heart yearn over your fellow
immortals? Do you long to see them forgiven?
Then be consistentwith your religion. Walk before God in the land of the
living. Behave as an electman should do. Recollectwhatmanner of people we
ought to be in all holy conversationand godliness. This is the best way to
convert the world. Yes, such conduct would do more than even the efforts of
missionary societies, excellentas they are. Let but men see that our conduct is
superior to others, then they will believe there is something in our religion.
But if they see us quite the contrary to what we avow, what will they say?
“These religious people are no better than others!Why should we go among
them?” And they sayquite rightly. It is but common sense judgment. Ah, my
Friends, if you love religion, for her own sake be consistentand walk in the
love of God. Follow Christ Jesus.
Then, to put it into the strongestform I can, let me say, for Christ’s sake,
endeavorto be like Him. Oh, could I fetch the dying Jesus here and let Him
speak to you! My own tongue is tied this morning, but I would make His
blood, His tears and His wounds speak. Poordumb mouths, I bid eachof them
plead in His behalf. How would Jesus, standing here, show you His hands this
morning! “My Friends,” He would say, “behold Me! These hands were
pierced for you. And look here at this My side. It was openedas the fountain
of your salvation. See My feet. There entered the cruel nails. Each of these
bones were dislocatedfor your sake.
“These eyes gushedwith torrents of tears. This head was crownedwith
thorns. These cheekswere smitten. This hair was plucked. My body become
the centerand focus of agony. I hung quivering in the burning sun. And all for
you, My people–willyou not love Me now? I bid you be like I am. Is there any
fault in Me? Oh, no. You believe that I am fairer than ten thousand fairs and
lovelier than ten thousand loves. Have I injured you? Have I not rather done
all for your salvation? And do I not sit at My Father’s Throne, even now
interceding on your behalf? If you love Me”–Christian, hearthat word, let the
sweetsyllables ring forever in your ears, like the prolonged sounding of silver-
toned bells–“ifyou love Me, if you love Me, keepMy Commandments.”
Oh, Christian, let that “if” be put to you this morning. “If you love Me.”
Glorious Redeemer!Is it an “if” at all? You precious, bleeding Lamb, can
there be an “if”? What? When I see Your blood gushing from You, is it an

“if”? Yes, I weep to sayit is an “if.” Oft my thoughts make it “if,” and oft my
words make it “if.” But yet methinks my soul feels it is not “if,” either–
“Notto mine eyes is light so dear,
Nor friendship half so sweet.”
“Yes, I love You, I know that I love You. Lord, You know all things, You
know that I love You,” the Christian cansay. “Wellthen” says Jesus, looking
down with a glance of affectionate approbation, “since you love Me, keepMy
commandments.” O Beloved, what mightier reasoncan I give than this? It is
the argument of love and affection. Be like Christ, since gratitude demands
obedience–andso shallthe world know that you have been with Jesus.
IV. Ah, then you wept and I perceive you felt the force of pity and some of you
are inquiring, “How CAN I IMITATE HIM? It is my business, then, before
you depart, to tell you how you can become transformed into the image of
Christ.
In the first place, then, my beloved Friends, in answerto your inquiry, let me
say, you must know Christ as your Redeemerbefore you can follow Him as
your Exemplar. Much is said about the example of Jesus and we scarcelyfind
a man now who does not believe that our Lord was an excellentand holy man,
much to be admired. But excellent as His example, it would be impossible to
imitate it had He not also beenour Sacrifice. Do you this morning know that
His blood was shed for you? Can you join with me in this verse–
“O the sweetwonders of that Cross,
Where God the Savior loved and died;
Her noblest life my spirit draws,
From His dear wounds and bleeding side.”
If so, you are on a fair wayto imitate Christ. But do not seek to copy Him
until you are bathed in the fountain filled with blood drawn from His veins.
You cannot mold your life to His pattern until you have had His Spirit, till you
have been clothed in His righteousness.“Well,” saysome, “we have proceeded
so far, what next shall we do? We know we have an interest in Him but we are
still sensible of manifold deficiencies.”Nextthen, let me entreatyou to study
Christ’s character. This poor Bible is become an almostobsolete book, even
with some Christians. There are so many magazines, periodicals and such like
ephemeral productions that we are in danger of neglecting to searchthe
Scriptures.
Christian, would you know your Master? Look atHim. There is a wondrous
powerabout the characterof Christ, for the more you regard it the more you
will be conformed to it. I view myself in the glass, I go awayand forgetwhat I

was. I behold Christ and I become like Christ. Look at Him, then. Study Him
in the Evangelists, studiouslyexamine His character. “But,” you say, “we have
done that and we have proceededbut little farther.” Then, in the next place,
correctyour poor copy every day. At night, try and recount all the actions of
the twenty-four hours, scrupulously putting them under review.
When I have proof sheets sentto me of any of my writings, I have to make the
corrections in the margin. I might read them over fifty times and the printers
would still put in the errors if I did not mark them. So must you do if you find
anything faulty. At night make a mark in the margin that you may know
where the fault is and tomorrow you may amend it. Do this, day after day
continually, noting your faults one by one so that you may better avoid them.
It was a maxim of the old philosophers that three times in the day we should
go over our actions. So let us do. Let us not be forgetful. Let us rather examine
ourselves eachnight and see wherein we have done amiss, that we may reform
our lives.
Lastly, as the best advice I can give, seek more of the Spirit of God, for this is
the wayto become Christ-like. Vain are all your attempts to be like Him till
you have soughtHis Spirit. Take the cold iron and attempt to weld it if you
can into a certain shape. How fruitless the effort! Lay it on the anvil, seize the
blacksmith’s hammer with all your might. Let blow after blow fall upon it and
you shall have done nothing. Twist it, turn it, use all your implements but you
shall not be able to fashion it as you would.
But put it in the fire, let it be softenedand made malleable–then lay it on the
anvil–and eachstroke shallhave a mighty effect, so that you may fashion it
into any form you may desire. So take your heart, not cold as it is, not stony as
it is by nature, but put it into the furnace. There let it be molten and after that
it can be turned like wax to the sealand fashionedinto the image of Jesus
Christ.
Oh my Brethren, what can I saynow to enforce my text but that if you are
like Christ on earth, you shall be like He is in Heaven. If by the powerof the
Spirit you become followers ofJesus, you shall enter glory. For at Heaven’s
gate there sits an angelwho admits no one who has not the same features as
our adorable Lord. There comes a man with a crown upon his head. “Yes,” he
says, “you have a crown, it is true, but crowns are not the medium of access
here.” Another approaches dressedin robes of state and the gownof learning.
“Yes,” says the angel, “it may be good, but gowns and learning are not the
marks that shall admit you here.”

Another advances, fair, beautiful and comely. “Yes,” says the angel “that
might please on earth, but beauty is not wanted here.” There comes up
another, who is heralded by fame and prefacedby the blast of the clamor of
mankind. But the angelsays, “It is wellwith man, but you have no right to
enter here.” Then there appears another–poorhe may have been, illiterate he
may have been–but the angel, as he looks at him, smiles and says, “It is Christ
again, a secondedition of Jesus Christ is there. Come in, come in. Eternal
glory you shall win. You are like Christ in Heaven. You shall sit because you
are like He is.”
Oh, to be like Christ is to enter Heaven. But to be unlike Christ is to descend
to Hell. Likes shall be gathered togetherat last, tares with tares, wheatwith
wheat. If you have sinned with Adam and have died, you shall lie with the
spiritually dead forever, unless you rise in Christ to newness oflife. Then shall
we live with Him throughout eternity. Wheatwith wheat, tares with tares. “Be
not deceived, Godis not mocked–whatsoevera man sows thatshall he also
reap.” Go awaywith this one thought, then, my Brethren, that you can test
yourselves by Christ. If you are like Christ you are of Christ and shall be with
Christ.
If you are unlike He is, you have no portion in the greatinheritance. May my
poor discourse help to fan the floor and revealthe chaff. Yes, may it lead
many of you to seek to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, to
the praise of His grace. And to Him be all honor given! Amen.
Most Relevant Verses
1 Peter 2:21
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an
example for you to follow in His steps,
Philippians 2:3-8
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as
more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also
for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus,read
more.
who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be
grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness
of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the
point of death, even death on a cross.
2 Corinthians 3:18

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being
transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
John 13:12-15
So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He
said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? "You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you
are right, for so I am. "If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to
wash one another's feet.
John 13:34
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that
you also love one another.
John 15:9-11
"Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. "If you keep My
commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father's commandments and
abide in His love. "These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that
your joy may be made full.
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ.
1 John 2:6
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has
forgiven you.
Colossians 3:13
bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just
as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.
20 Ways to Practically Imitate Christ
•
K e l l y B a l a r i e
https://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/kelly-
balarie/https://www.crosswalk.com/blogs/kelly-balarie/
Kelly Balarie
Kelly, often called a "Cheerleader of Faith", encourages other to live with passion and
purpose. While Kelly has suffere...More l "
• 2016Jun 24
• Comments1

And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ. 1 Cor. 11:1
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved
you Eph. 5:1-2
These verses both intrigue me and scare the beetle juice out of me. Trying to be like Him- it is no
joke. It takes some ability. It takes some power. It takes some mojo. I don't know if I have it.
Normally, when I stand right up against a large goal like this, and see it towering over me, I
nearly freeze at its immensity. I duck down and curl up fetal position. Tall orders make me
shake, freeze and prepare to fail. I fear them.
Do you?
In business, the only way I ever accomplished anything of importance, was by breaking it down
into daily chunks. It was by tackling it in a way where it was so small that it was possible.

So, when I think of imitating Christ, rather than seeing the big picture (to look exactly like Him),
I consider how to break it up in smaller ways, so that 40 years down road, I surprise myself and
land at "project practically completed." Small things - I can do.
Even more, I step back and consider - it is only through grace, through submitting, through
praying and through experiencing God's love that I will ever arrive at destination massive. This
also relieves some pressure. It helps me get ready to go.
Now that we moved that out of the way, how do we really imitate Christ?
i m i t a t e C h r i s t
What does it look like to be him, rather than us, insecure messes of selfishness?
20 Ways to Imitate Christ in Your Daily Life
1. Ask.
Why are you terrified? (Matt 8:26)
2. Wait.
Now Jesus himself was about thirty years old when he began his ministry. (Lu. 3:23)
3. Sit down.
That day Jesus went out of the house and was sitting by the sea. (Mt. 13:1)
When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples
came to Him. (Mt. 5:1)
4. Pray.
One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God.
(Lu. 6:12)
5. Praise.
At that time Jesus said, "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have
hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. (Mt. 11:25)
6. Go.
Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the
kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. (Mt 4:23)
7. Be kind & forgiving.
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has
forgiven you. (Eph 4:32)
8. Be humble.
He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but
emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.
Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of
death, even death on a cross. (Phil 2:7-8)

i m i t a t e C h r i s t
9. Fight back.
Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and
serve him only.'" (Mt. 4:10)
10. Seek holy.
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your
ignorance,
but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; (1 Peter
1:15)
11. Expect suffering.
For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an
example for you to follow in His steps... (1 Pet. 2:21)
12. Lay down love.
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. (1 Jo. 3:16)
13. Know his words.
Whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. (1 Jo. 2:5)
14. Fear not the poor, ugly, dirty or crazy types.
While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with
him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him. (Mark 2:15)
15. Be a uniter, not a divider.
Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble
mind. (1 Pet. 3:8)
16. Seize faith.
Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. (Lu. 22:42)
17. Fight flesh, surrender to Spirit.
But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Ro.
13:14
18. Die to your needs live for others.
We are to walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and
a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. (Ephesians 5:2).
19. Give what people don't deserve.
Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 22:34)
20. Know where you are going.
For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal
life, and I will raise them up at the last day. Jo. 6:40
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 1 Pet. 5:4

Imitating Christ
Peter's Epistles #17
by Dr. Robert D. Luginbill
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A d o b e P D F
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P e t e r ' s E p i s t l e s
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W o r d R T F
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Spiritual Maturity is Necessary for Imitating Christ: Imitating Christ requires us to walk as
Jesus walked. Imitating Christ cannot be achieved without spiritual maturity, and spiritual
maturity in turn cannot be achieved without a deep understanding and persistent application of
the virtues of scripture. Virtue is truth, distilled and applied to the individual life. All we know,
all we understand, all we believe about the truths of the Bible must come together into patterns of
thinking which become habitual and then we must follow through with our words and our deeds
as well. We have not been left alone in this objective of reaching maturity and achieving a life of
virtuous thinking and acting. God has provided an extensive support system to aid us in our task
which is not restricted to the help we receive from all facets of the church; we have also been
given a detailed pattern to follow, namely the virtuous life of our master, Jesus Christ:
Christ Himself appointed some of us apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some
pastors and teachers in order to prepare all of His holy people for their own ministry
work, that the entire body of Christ might thus be built up, until we all reach that unifying
goal of believing what is right and of giving our complete allegiance to the Son of God,
that each of us might be a perfect person, that is, that we might attain to that standard of
maturity whose "attainment" is defined by Christ; that we may no longer be immature,
swept off-course and carried headlong by every breeze of so-called teaching that
emanates from the trickery of men in their readiness to do anything to cunningly work
their deceit, but rather that we may, by embracing the truth in love, grow up in all
respects with Christ, who is the head of the Church, as our model. In this way, the entire
body of the Church, fit and joined together by Him through the sinews He powerfully
supplies to each and every part, works out its own growth for the building up of itself in
love.
Ephesians 4:11-16
Christ Our Role Model: The Christian life, the Christian walk should be characterized by the
virtues taught in the Word of God. We have said that love embodies all of these virtues, and that
a life of perfect love would necessarily be an entirely virtuous one. Such was the life of our Lord
Jesus Christ. During His tenure on this earth, He embodied and exemplified the love of God, and
by His own example, facing the same difficulties of life which we face (yet to a far more intense
degree, Heb.4:15), He gave us a pattern to model ourselves by, footsteps, by which if we should

only follow them, we would be lead by the straight road to a virtuous life well-pleasing to God
(1Pet.2:21-25; cf. Matt.16:24; Jn.13:15).
The Bible is about Jesus Christ (Jn.5:39), about the love of God demonstrated in His gift of Jesus
Christ (Jn.3:16), for love comes from God and God is love (1Jn.4:7-8). In this sense then, every
page of the Bible reflects the character of God and the love of Christ, and we should try to retain
this perspective as we study the scriptures. Spiritual growth, as we have seen, is a process of
transformation, and the ideal goal of that process is the formation of the character of Jesus Christ
within each one of us (Gal.4:19). To accomplish this heady goal, we need to "imitate Christ"
(1Cor.11:1) and "put on Christ" (Rm.13:14) until He "dwells in our hearts" (Eph.3:16-17). The
contexts of each of these passages show that this reproduction of Christ's character is part and
parcel of this transformation of our thinking which we have been discussing. In 1st Corinthians
11:1, the command to "imitate Christ" is given in a context of self-sacrifice, of giving others
more consideration than ourselves when it comes to their spiritual advance (1Cor.10:23-33). The
command to "put on Christ" in Rm.13:14 is given in a context of rejecting the vices of the sin
nature so that we may conduct our spiritual "walk" in a decent way. Lastly, Paul's prayer for
Christ to "dwell in our hearts" (Eph.3:16-17) is accomplished "by faith" and is predicated on our
prior "internal strengthening in the inner man by the Holy Spirit", a process as we have seen
involving the adjustment of our thinking to the principles of truth taught in God's Word.
Emulating the character of our Lord is only possible when we begin thinking as He did, putting
the spiritual welfare of others before ourselves, rejecting the claims of the sin nature, and turning
to the Word and the Spirit of God for our strength.
Christ Our Model in Humility: If we are serious about reforming our thinking, one of the
patterns of thinking we need to put into place right from the start is that of humility. If we are to
"imitate Christ" (1Cor.11:1) we must develop the same humble outlook Christ possessed. Pride,
the placing of self before all other considerations, was the original sin of both Satan and Adam
(Is.14:13-14; Gen.3:6). Pride, or arrogance, is the antithesis of the self-sacrifice of love and
concern for others that is closely associated with the virtue of humility. Humility is a virtuous
frame of mind which we are commanded to maintain, and our exemplar for this attitude is our
Lord:
You too should have this attitude which Christ Jesus had. Since he already existed in the
very form of God, equality with God was not something He felt He had to grasp for.
Nevertheless, He deprived Himself of His status and took on the form of a slave, born in
the likeness of men. He humbled Himself, becoming obedient to the point of death, a
death on the cross at that.
Philippians 2:5-8
Paul's example of Christ's humble, loving sacrifice puts the daily slights endured by our own
petty egos into perspective. While arrogance (according to its etymology) means to demand
honors and considerations to which we have no right, Christ had every right to be treated as the
deity He was. Yet in love, He freely offered Himself to become a slave for us and to die in our
place. As Christians who espouse to follow our Lord, we must "think virtuously" as Christ did
and maintain a perspective of humility. We may not be called upon to give our lives for others,
but we should at least try to hold onto the perspective that Christ died for all others as well as for
ourselves. If our Chief Shepherd laid down His life for our fellow believers, should we not at
least treat them with tolerance and forgiveness? An attitude of service to others rather than a self-
serving one is a necessary ingredient in the process of virtue thinking. Humility, then, is one of

the virtues or attitudes that should characterize the thinking of the mature believer. An absence of
humility or the presence of arrogance is a sure indication that one is not concentrating on
principles of truth, not imitating Christ, and not thinking virtuously.
Christ Our Model in Testing: As we attempt to transform our life-style by first transforming
our thinking, we should keep in mind that the devil and his numerous minions are not likely to
allow the positive steps we take to go unchallenged. Just as Christ met the temptations brought
against Him by Satan in the wilderness with biblical principles (Matt.4:4-10), so we must ever be
ready to do the same. That is not to suggest that we must find a particular scripture to meet every
possible exigency of life, but rather that this habit of focusing our thinking around those positive
virtues we have learned to emulate through our Lord's example will stand us in good stead in our
hour of testing just as they did Him. Moreover, testing and temptation always have two elements:
the external event or stimulus that "puts the pressure on", and that old ally upon which Satan can
always count to lend a hand in bringing us down, our own internal sin nature.
Passing the tests and overcoming the temptations that fall into every believer's life (and are in
fact an essential part of spiritual advance) should be viewed from at least two perspectives. First,
successful negotiation of a difficult test is a positive thing, a following of the Lord in spite of the
pressure to do otherwise. Second, such behavior is also a denial and defeat of the sin nature
which necessarily supports all that is contrary to the will of God. If we are to "put on Christ"
(Rm.13:14) and do as He did in the wilderness, we must at the same time "put off the old man"
(the sin nature) who bids us to follow our lusts instead of God's will (Col.3:9-10). We must learn
to focus on the truth of the Word of God, and that is the main point behind the concept of "virtue
thinking".
We must learn to interpret our experiences through the principles of truth God expects us to
know and use, and not instead try to make God's plan for our lives fit our own circumstances. As
Satan tried to confuse the issue for our Lord in the wilderness, so he has developed an entire
world system full of confusing, tempting, and disorienting allurements and difficulties to ply us
from the truth as well. Christ passed His tests by being perfectly focused on the Word and the
will of His Father. When He was tempted by the devil in the wilderness, He replied to Satan's
testing with truth. For us to emulate our Lord in our hour of trial, we must do the same, and in
order to reply to any given situation with truth, we must of course first be thinking principles of
truth. It is not always possible for us to resort immediately to our Bibles the moment we run into
trouble. If we are to function effectively day by day as Christians here in the devil's world, we
must have God's truth in usable form in our minds at all times. We must be in the habit of
concentrating on the virtues of scripture (i.e. principles of correct behavior and attitude) at all
times.
Christ in Our Hearts: Only after we are "strengthened in the inner man" do we achieve an inner
focus and concentration upon our Lord whereby He can truly be said to "dwell in our hearts"
(Eph.3:16-17). This process of strengthening (as Ephesians chapter three tells us) is
accomplished "through faith", with the help of "the Holy Spirit", and is based on a foundation of
"love". The sequence is clear: the growth of faith and love (with God's help) fuel in turn the
process of inner-growth until Christ becomes our all in all. The strengthening of our inner-selves,
therefore, is inseparable from our development of, concentration on and application of virtue.
Only then can we hope to arrive at that place where, like the apostle Paul, Christ is at the center
of our earthly life, and our passage to the next means only gain (Phil.1:21). To be the sort of
Christians that God wants us to be then, requires continued growth so that we may reach this

level of maturity necessary to fix our gaze ever more firmly on Jesus, and to approximate the
virtuous walk and life of our Master.
Techniques of Virtue Thinking: The scriptures abound with examples of believers whose
virtuous deeds seem awesome and unapproachable. What Christian has not wished to have the
patience of Job, the joy of David, the faith of Daniel, or the peace of Paul? These and other
virtues are truly within the grasp of us all. The great "cloud of witnesses" of the past (Heb.12:1)
all had the ability to pierce through the haze of earthly existence and see beyond it with the eyes
of faith. They could be patient, faithful, joyful and experience true inner peace because they
"saw" that there was a bigger, better picture beyond the sufferings and disappointments of time,
that the alarm and confusion of this life which constantly bombards and disorients us is a passing
distraction, that the more important reality of God, our eternal home to come, and the duties we
have to that citizenship immeasurably transcend the problems of the visible life here on earth.
Such a perspective is open to all believers, but is not automatic. It requires a conscious effort to
apply Christian virtues learned through the study of scripture. To that end, let us consider a few
basic principles of application:
1. Basic Orientation: If we were attempting to navigate through a strange forest with a map, the
information contained on the map would be of little use unless we could also orient it; that is,
turn it in the correct direction so that the information on the map becomes meaningful and relates
to what we actually see. Similarly, the virtues of scripture act as a sort of internal "compass".
They help us to orient to the life we live here on earth, forming a bridge between the truth of the
Bible and the actual circumstances with which we have to deal. Before we consider specific
virtues, we should note that scripture provides us with definite virtuous guidelines to help orient
our thinking to God and God's will:
• We should focus our thinking upon heavenly, not earthly, things (Col.3:2; Phil.3:19-20;
4:8).
• We should think humble things, not proud things (Rm.12:2-3).
• We should set our thoughts upon things that unify our fellow believers, rather than
dividing them (Rom.12:16; 15:5; 2Cor.13:11; 1Pet.3:8).
• Our thinking should resemble that of the Father, not that of man and the devil
(Matt.16:23).
• We should think like the Son, and not like the self-interested (Phil.2:2-4).
• We should think like the Spirit, not like the flesh (Rm.8:6).
• We should think like mature people, not like children (1Cor.13:11; Phil.3:15).
These are all very definite "directions" in which our Christian thoughts should flow. Keeping
them firmly in mind will help us to stay oriented, meditating upon the things which are pleasing
to God and moving forward in the right, virtuous "direction".
2. Progression of Virtues: Viewing things on the largest possible scale is often difficult. As we
have noted, all virtue can be resolved into love (God's love for us manifest in Jesus Christ and
our love response to Him and His creatures), and the entire Bible can rightly be seen as a training
ground for that most essential Christian virtue. On a practical level, however, we imperfect and
less than omniscient humans often need things spelled out for us in greater detail. We need

something we can sink our teeth into more affirmatively, especially in the earlier stages of
growth. We can find some initial help in our desire for more detail in the second epistle of Peter
where the apostle gives us a list of some of the most basic Christian virtues. These he ranks for
us not necessarily by their importance, but rather in order of their natural progression, like a
series of building blocks, each laying the foundation for the one that follows and is in some sense
based upon its predecessor:
And to this end, along with your faith zealously develop morality, and along with
morality, knowledge, and along with knowledge, self-control, and along with self-
control, perseverance, and along with perseverance, godliness, and along with godliness,
love of the brethren, and along with love of the brethren, love. For if these things be in
your possession and increasing, they will render you neither unfit nor fruitless in your
confession of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2nd Peter 1:5-8
The progression in 2nd Peter is then as follows: faith, morality, knowledge, self-control,
perseverance, godliness, love of the brethren and love. These virtues are not mutually exclusive,
and do overlap to a certain degree. Nevertheless, the progression suggested by Peter makes good
sense and will help to explain how we can build up to more virtuous Christian living. In common
with Paul's famous "short list" (1Cor.13:13), virtue begins with faith and ends with love.
• Faith, implicit trust in God and His Son, Jesus Christ, is the bedrock upon which all
growth is founded. We must first believe in Him, in His Son and His Son's saving work,
in the veracity of His words and the reality of His promises to us of resurrection and
reward in order to make spiritual progress (Heb.11:6).
• Morality is an appropriate translation for the Greek arete as Peter is using it in this
context. Though usually translated "virtue" or "excellence", in Thucydides (and
elsewhere), this word does sometimes have the meaning of "what is right and proper" in a
given situation. "Doing the right thing" is the sort of excellence or virtue Peter has in
mind here, and our idea of upright, moral conduct (in all areas of life) best conveys the
meaning.
• Knowledge is next on Peter's list. Once we have learned to trust in God and Christ, and
have "cleaned up our act", the next step is to expand our understanding and knowledge of
the teachings and principles of God's Word. This is not to suggest, however, that we
should not have been seeking knowledge from the beginning, but rather to impress upon
us the importance of establishing a certain rectitude of life immediately after believing in
Christ: we should not "wait for information" before making basic corrections in our
behavior that even common sense will tell us are not compatible with Christian conduct.
Continued spiritual growth, however, does require knowledge, and lots of it, being fed by
the source, the truth of the Word of God.
• Self-control is such an important element in the development of a proper Christian walk,
that the apostle Paul made it one of his key points in giving the gospel to Felix (along
with righteousness and the judgment to come: Acts 24:25). Self-control is the Greek word
engkrateia, and in the New Testament refers to all aspects of controlling the sin nature
with its diverse lusts and desires. The word covers a large amount of territory, including
everything from sins of the tongue and mind to more overt and gross behavior. Although
saved, we are not separated from the sin nature inhabiting our flesh during this life, and

so only with strong and consistent self-control of this ready source of embarrassment and
trouble can we hope to make progress in virtue and spiritual growth.
• Perseverance is a quality we will find ourselves in need of when testing comes our way
(Jas.1:3-4; Heb.12:1). And just as soon as we have established a good Christian life,
making progress in learning about God and His will while exercising good control over
our behavior, we can definitely expect to be tested. Perseverance and hope are closely
linked by the apostle Paul (Rom.8:25), and in perseverance (lit. "abiding under" the
pressure of testing), we have the closest thing to hope on Peter's list. Perseverance is
sticking to our beliefs and applications (such as consistently taking in God's Word) even
when the pressure and testing mounts. Hope is the flip-side of perseverance. Our
confident expectation that after death we shall be with the Lord forever, that we shall
experience a glorious resurrection of this present, fragile body, and that we shall be
rewarded for our faithful service to the Lord here in this life all contribute to a
perspective that transcends the present moment and instead fixes our gaze on the eternal
realities which so out-shine the difficulties of the present. This is the hope that gives us
the will to endure and persevere.
• Godliness is another virtue with a specialized meaning in this context. The word
eusebeia is based on the same root (seb-) which the Greeks chose to translate Octavian's
honorary title given to him as emperor, "Augustus", and is connected with the ideas of
awe, reverence, and worship. There is, therefore, (strictly speaking) no mention of God in
the word commonly translated "godliness", but it does convey the meaning of acting in a
pious, reverent or "godly" way. It is the notion of piety which counts heaviest here. In
Roman terms, to be pius, one had to fulfill one's duties to the gods, one's family and
country. The fulfillment of duty, specifically of ministry based on one's individual
spiritual gift is a large part of what Peter means to convey in this part of his progression
of virtues. Once we have built a Christian life characterized by faith, uprightness, study
of the Bible, control of our sin nature, and have developed the ability to withstand the
testing of life, then it is high time for us to start to "give back" to our fellows in the
Church by putting our faith into action; that is, by fulfilling whatever ministry God has
given us to do. This is our proper and godly application of virtue once we reach this stage
of growth.
• Love of the brethren (philadelphia, that is, love of our fellow Christians) and love
(agape, that is, Christian love directed towards all people) are the two crowning virtues
on this list. It is quite interesting that Peter splits these two. What this means is that while
we owe love to all, our first priority as believers is to other believers. This in no way
suggests that we should be stingy or selfish with our love and Christian ministrations
towards unbelievers, but rather that we must take care of our "Christian family" first. As
the premier virtue, when agape-love truly characterizes our lives, it is a sure sign that the
other virtues are present and functioning as well.
Peter concludes his list by saying that if we possess and foster all these virtues, we shall be
"neither ineffectual nor fruitless in our full-knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2Pet1:8). The
"full-knowledge" described here is the Greek epignosis, which means more than the knowledge
(gnosis) from the list above: epignosis connotes a full, effective, directed knowledge, a
recognition, an allegiance, a complete understanding upon which one follows through, in other
words, a virtuous application of knowledge possessed.

3. Faith, Hope and Love: Paul's famous basic list of virtues in 1st Corinthians 13:13 consists of
faith, hope, and love. As with Peter's list, Paul's is also progressive. Love is the ultimate virtue,
but, in practical terms, its employment is dependent upon our spiritual growth (a process
requiring our prior development of faith and hope). "These three things" are what Paul tells us
are left to us once the spectacular gifts of the early, inaugural period of the Church have ceased
to function. We, the body of Christ, are to substitute virtue for the marvels of tongues, prophecy,
healing and the like. It is virtue, practiced by every member of the body that must carry us
through until the Lord's return when we shall see Him face to face:
• Faith is the eyesight of our new Christian life which guides us on our way along the path
God has given us to tread in this life (2Cor.4:18; 5:7). As believers in Jesus Christ, we
have confidence, trust, faith that what God has told us is true despite the contrary
testimony of the world (1Cor.1:21). The world actively seeks to undermine our faith, but
we believe the promises that God has given to us (2Cor.7:1). We believe that our sins
have been forgiven because Christ died for them in our place. We believe that through
our faith in Him and His work we shall live forever. We believe that this temporary body
we now occupy will be transformed, even if it shall have first turned to dust, into a
glorious, eternal dwelling place that shall never see decay. We believe that all the
sorrows, tears and hardships of this life will pass away forever in the eternal life to come
(Rev.21:4). We believe that Christ has gone before us to prepare a place for us that we
may be with Him forever (Jn.14:2-3). We believe all these things and more because God
has promised them to us (Heb.11:6). We believe in His character, and in the veracity of
His Word. In spite of the hammering of life, we maintain, we build our faith, being
strengthened therein by the very testing we endure (Jas.1:2-4; 1Pet.1:6-7). We know the
truth, not because we can quantify it, not because we can prove it, not because we can
produce empirical evidence for it – quite the opposite (Heb.11:1). Our faith is the only
proof we need, not self-sufficient in itself, but grounded in the character of God Himself
(1Pet.1:21). We have faith – in God, in Jesus Christ His Son, and in the promises given to
us and contained in the holy scriptures. Faith gives us the strength to endure the
disappointments and heartaches of life, for we trust God that He is ordering everything
we experience for our ultimate good (Rom.8:28).
• Hope blends directly into faith as our heart reaches out to embrace the unseen, glorious,
future realities which God has promised to us. As faith places confidence and trust in the
person and character of God and His Son Jesus Christ, so hope takes that trust and
focuses it on eternity, on the marvelous promises of the life to come. Hope cuts through
the veil of earthly sorrow like a laser, zeroing in on the inexpressible joy of being in the
presence of our Lord forever in a perfect body and in company with all the saints. Hope is
that part of our "faith eyesight" which penetrates eternity and affirms the reality of these
unseen wonders (Rom.8:23-25). Our hope is not an empty dream, but a reality unseen
whereby we yearn to leave this world behind and put on the new body of eternal life
which will be ours forever in the presence of the Lord (2Cor.5:1-9), looking not to the
transient treasures of this life, but, like Moses, setting our gaze on the reward which God
will give us (Heb.11:26). This hope of ours, our confidence that God will fulfill all these
marvelous promises, anchors our thoughts to heaven, where our Lord has already gone
before us to prepare all things (Heb.6:18-20).

• Love, in our march to maturity, is built upon this hope (Col.1:4-5). With complete and
perfect confidence in God, with our eyes firmly set on the true and eternal realities, we
are prepared to appreciate and love our Lord with all that is in us, and to reflect that love
to others (Matt.5:14-16). Love must begin for us with God (1Jn.4:19). God is love, and
we only have the capacity to love because He has given it to us (1Jn.4:7-8). His love for
us is centered in the gift of His Son Jesus Christ to die in our place (Jn.3:16). How then
can we fail to love someone who has delivered us from the power of death at a time when
we were still His enemies (Rom.5:8)? Consequently we feel gratitude and joy for the
salvation that God has so graciously bestowed upon us through the loving sacrifice of
Jesus Christ (Jn.15:13). Our ultimate commandment as believers in Him is to reflect the
wondrous love that God has poured out on us by showing that same love to our fellow
believers (Jn.15:12). Love is the greatest of the virtues (1Cor.13:13); it is the "glue" of
maturity which holds together all of the other virtues and guarantees that we are walking
as Christ would have us walk (Col.3:12-14).
Faith focuses upon the trustworthiness of God; in faith we follow Him because we trust Him.
Hope focuses upon the promises God has made to us; we endure this life with joy, because we
have been promised a far better one forever.
Love appreciates what God has done for us in Jesus Christ and reflects that gratitude to others;
we serve Him and His Church in love because He first loved us.
These three virtues should never be far from our thoughts. With them our hearts can peel back
the harsh surface of this life and see clearly the important realities that lie hidden to the eye, the
realities of God's character, His inviolable promises, and His ineffable love. Faith, hope and love
should be the "channels" down which we are ever directing our thoughts. They are the
touchstones against which we should be continually evaluating our Christian walk.
4. Poles of Application: As we attempt to traverse the straight and narrow road that leads to
salvation (Matt.7:14), the Word of God provides us with guideposts to help us keep on the track,
"curbs", if you will, which serve as clear reminders when we veer too sharply in one direction or
another. Extreme negative guideposts are the clear prohibitions of God (e.g. "thou shalt not
steal", Ex.20:15), while the ultimate positive guidepost is the commandment to love one another
(Jn.13:34). But there are many other indicators given to us as well. Here are just a few examples
of the negative and positive "poles of application" scripture gives us to regulate our conduct:
• (+) we are told to be joyful (Phil.4:4); (-) we are told not to grumble (Phil.2:14).
• (+) we are told to be merciful (Jas.2:13); (-) we are told not to judge (Matt.7:1-2).
• (+) we are told to be tolerant (Phil.4:5); (-) we are told to restrain our anger (Eph.4:26).
Such positive and negative guideposts are ubiquitous in the scriptures. We are even given a
number of catalogs against which to compare our Christian walk. James, for example, in
describing the wisdom which comes from above, provides us with some positive characteristics
of the virtuous life: "holy, peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial
and without hypocrisy" (Jas.3:17). Paul, on the other hand, in describing the character of men in
the last days, lists a number of vices to be avoided: "conceited, greedy, boastful, arrogant,
blasphemous, disrespectful to their parents, ungrateful, wicked, unloving, implacable, slanderers,

lacking self-control, savage, despisers of what is good, recklessly treacherous and puffed-up,
lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, with an appearance of Godliness yet rejecting its
true meaning" (2Tim.3:2-5). As we try these characteristics on for size, the good and the bad, we
should be encouraged to strive to emulate the positive and eschew the negative.
Nearly every page of the Bible contains such guideposts that, when considered with humility,
can help to direct and mold our Christian walk and develop the virtuous lifestyle God wants us to
embrace. Such specifics are important, because (as careful consideration of the above lists should
indicate) "love" and "don't sin" are such all-encompassing commands that we can easily be lulled
into a false belief that we are doing better than we actually are. Whenever we read such verses,
we ought to make a habit of reflecting on just what is meant, and of then asking ourselves
whether or not our lives are characterized by such behavior.
So, for example, when in Titus 2:12 Paul tells us that we should live a life characterized by
prudence, righteousness and godliness, we should consider what these characteristics really are:
• prudence: a wise caution toward any sinful or spiritually risky behavior.
• righteousness: honest, upright and just behavior.
• godliness: fulfilling one's spiritual duty in a blameless way.
In this way, we shall take full advantage of each such opportunity to examine our behavior, fine
tuning it according to the standard of God's Word.
5. Reactive Application: Ideally, we should be actively applying principles of virtue at all
opportunities. However, given the tendency of everyday life to distract us with its often frenetic
pace, it can be helpful to keep in mind that virtue-thinking is also a valid reaction to momentary
spiritual failures, helping us to reorient to proper spiritual conduct.
Sin of all types constitutes a spiritual setback, and even seemingly "minor" lapses in attitude,
require confession (in private prayer to God: 1Jn.1:9). Nevertheless, these lapses can also serve
as an opportunity to refocus our thoughts on virtue (especially to the virtues most clearly
opposite to the sin we have fallen into).
The facet of our makeup as human beings which is most directly concerned with monitoring our
spiritual status both before such episodes (as a preventive agent) and after (as a corrective agent)
is the conscience. "Conscience" is a way of expressing how our heart prods us to remember what
is right and wrong in any number of circumstances. While even unbelievers have an innate sense
of right and wrong (Rom.2:15), as Christians we are daily molding, correcting, and refining our
conscience (1Cor.8:7-12; 10:25-29).
We are also fortunate to possess in the Holy Spirit a helper to aid our conscience. Indeed, we are
specifically directed not to resist (and thus neutralize) His ministry to us (Eph.4:30; 1Thes.5:19).
So when we notice a negative in our lives, it behooves us not merely to reject that negative, but
to make use of the opportunity to actively set our thinking back on a positive track. For, after all,
a "good conscience" is part and parcel of the "love from a pure heart" and "non-hypocritical
faith" that we are commanded to produce (1Tim.1:5).
6. Virtue Under Pressure: Suffering is the greatest developer of virtue (Rom.5:3-5; Jas.1:2-4;
1Pet.1:6-7). To be successful as Christians, we must learn to put a spin on hardships and reverses

which is completely different from the thinking of the rest of the world, "boasting in our
tribulations", "counting it all joy", and recognizing that this "testing of our faith is more valuable
than purest gold". The fact is, we have not been called to lives of unencumbered luxury,
tranquility and prosperity. In fact, the more we grow, the more we can expect to be tested and
refined by God. As our Lord has told us, "every branch in Me which bears fruit, My Father
prunes it that it might bear more fruit" (Jn.15:2).
There can be no vacuum of action in the Christian life: spiritual security goes hand in hand with
spiritual momentum (Phil.2:12; 2Pet 1:10; 1Jn.2:24; 2Jn.1:8). Nor does mere longevity equate to
spiritual growth (Heb.5:12). Growth involves testing, and the more we grow, the more we are
tested (as the apostle Paul's life of extreme pressure indicates: 1Cor.4:9-13; 2Cor.6:1-13; 11:16-
33). This stands to reason when we consider that the more truth we learn, the greater our
responsibility to apply that information to our lives (Jas.4:17). If we may compare the learning of
essential principals of truth to physical nutrition, we can extend the analogy by comparing the
application of the Word (putting principals of truth into action in our daily lives, especially in
times of testing) to physical exercise. Just as lifting weights puts a load on our muscles, and,
coupled with proper nutrition, causes our muscles to grow, so God exercises us with spiritual
weights in the form of testing (difficult choices, suffering, loss, delays in answering our prayers,
etc.). If we persevere in lifting these weights, we will make headway in the area of spiritual
growth as our faith puts on muscle (1Tim.4:7-8).
It is in the normal order of things for Christians, especially Christians who are sincerely trying to
advance, to come up against severe testing, testing so difficult that it puts serious pressure on
faith. Let us remember the example of Abraham, who initially had a hard time trusting God for
the heir he so deeply desired, but who, in the end, was willing to sacrifice that heir on God's
command, because he had faith that God would work it all out for good somehow. Let us also
remember the example of Job, who, having endured so much for so long, finally lost his patience
only to be rebuked by God and reminded of his relative ignorance of the power and purpose of
God: we may not understand why, but we should trust God that there is a good reason why we
suffer, and trust Him to work all things out for us in His own time and in His own way. Finally,
let us remember the very specific promise that God has given us in 1st Corinthians 10:13, where
we are told that He will never subject us to testing that is truly unbearable and will, in the end,
provide us with a solution: in the depths of sorrow, disappointment, frustration, loss and failure,
we may well feel that we cannot go on, but we must trust Him that He will help us, and that He
will work all things out for our good (Rom.8:28).
Suffering is, after all, the ultimate test of our faith in God, of our confident hope in His
deliverance, and of our love for Him in spite of circumstances. As we walk through this life of
tears and toils, can we trust Him to lead us through the sorrow, can we see beyond the heartaches
of the moment to the glorious future ahead, can we love Him even when it hurts, taking His hand
and trusting Him that all the pain has a purpose, producing for us an eternal "weight of glory"
that is not to be compared with these present sufferings (2Cor.4:17)? Many Christians can "have
faith", set their hope on God and love Him when the sun shines, but unflagging trust in God,
hope in His promise of eternity, and love for Him and His is harder to come by when the storms
of life have struck us a severe blow. These, however, are the times when our spiritual character is
truly put to the test, and we find out just how deep our Christian virtues run.
7. Prayer: Prayer, our constant dialogue with God (1Thes.5:17), is an important part of applying
virtue to our lives. In Philippians 4:6-8, Paul tells us that if we stop worrying and take our

concerns to God in prayer, His peace, a peace powerful enough to calm all human anxiety, will
protect us, guarding our very feelings and thoughts. In His peace, accessed through prayer, our
trust in Him, love for Him, and hope of the fulfillment of His promises to us blend into a single
comforting whole, and we can affirm with Him that if we have first sought the kingdom of God,
all our earthly concerns will be taken care of (Matt.6:25-34). Prayer, especially consistent,
persistent prayer, is a necessary habit for the implementation of Christian virtue, because prayer
redirects our thinking towards God. Prayer should be our primary method of reorienting our
thinking toward God, toward His power and His solutions to our problems. When we pray, we
remind ourselves of our great need for Him and His help, and thus we bring our thinking back
into agreement with His thinking.
8. Reflection: Psalm 1 tells us that the "blessed man" delights in the teachings of the Lord and
on them he "meditates day and night" (v.2). Every scrap of scripture, every scintilla of Bible
teaching helps (often in ways that are not immediately obvious) to form a web of understanding
and mature perspective that should grow stronger with each passing day. We cannot spend every
waking hour in the admittedly crucial pursuit of learning about the Lord and His teachings, but in
the course of a day we often have time to think. What do our thoughts focus upon during these
interludes? Do we concentrate on our worries and problems? Should we not rather use such
opportunities to refresh our spirits by calling upon the truths which are so precious to us?
Just as our bodies need a constant flow of blood to function, so our spirits ought to be fed by a
continual flow of truth. Focusing upon basic principles of virtue, the perspectives of love and
gratitude for God, faith in His promises, and hope in our eternal reward, for example, is a good
way to initiate this process, and to draw upon all the wonderful "spiritual capital" of truth
stockpiled in our hearts. Let us keep the truth "circulating" in our thoughts as often as we can so
that we may fulfill the command to "seek the things above" where our Lord dwells (Col.3:1-2).
Conclusion: Making a habit of mentally focusing on key Christian virtues (teachings which
relate to important aspects of our daily walk) is a valuable technique in keeping us aware of our
position in the plan and purpose of God, and an essential part of spiritual growth. Knowing and
doing the will of God for our lives is the goal of virtue-thinking (Col.1:9-10; Rom.12:2), and as
we meditate on the virtues which should characterize our behavior, we cannot help but evaluate
our Christian walk and be motivated to bring our conduct more into line with that will
(Eph.5:18).
As we become increasingly consistent about focusing on our trust in God, the love He has for us
(which we should reflect), and the wonderful hope of a blessed eternity with Him, we gain a
contentment which is not only an antidote for the lusts, worries, and testings of life, but which
also is approachable only by Christians who have put their faith, hope and love in the power and
person of God (2Cor.9:8; Phil.4:10-14; 1Tim.6:8-10; Heb.13:5-6):
• We focus on faith when we trust God to help us through all of our difficulties; we let Him
take us by the hand and lead us; we have no fear though we may not know where we are
being taken, because we have faith in Him that He is doing what is best for us (Ps.23;
Rom.8:28).
• We focus on love when we remember how much He cares for us – so much that He
sacrificed His Son for us (Jn.3:16), and so we know that a God who has paid such a price

in His love for us will surely never allow us to be parted from His love (Rom.8:31-39);
and so, in confidence of that love, we strive to reflect it to our fellows for His glory.
• We focus on hope when we remember that our lives here are transient, but there is a life
that never ends in the presence of God, filled with glory and happiness, an eternity
without suffering, in a marvelous new body and a place all our own in the New
Jerusalem.
The Christian virtues really are principles of truth which must be lived as well as learned to
achieve maturity, truths which are therefore important for us to consider every day, and which,
when we finally allow our minds to rest upon them, keep us oriented to things that really matter
to us as Christians.
Mark #1: An Example for Others to Imitate
Introduction
With this first mark of maturity we come to a study of the qualities that describe what Christ-like
maturity looks like. Since becoming Christ-like makes one an example to follow, we will begin
here. A mature Christian is someone who is a model, a pacesetter; someone who influences
others in positive ways according to biblical standards! Modeling Christian virtues, virtues of
true spirituality, is crucial to effective ministry in the world. Without biblical and godly models
we are cast into a restless sea that can only toss up refuse and mud (Isa. 57:20). William J.
Bennett recently said, “We—all of us, but especially the young—need around us individuals who
possess a certain nobility, a largeness of soul, and qualities of human experience worth imitating
and striving for.”19
People can never be biblical leaders and truly mature until they come to realize that God has
called them to be examples to others. As the Lord Jesus pointed out, “A disciple is not greater
than his teacher, but everyone when fully trained will be like his teacher” (Luke 6:40). In this
context, the Lord was showing that one’s true spirituality, or godliness (or lack thereof) is
revealed in our actions and that such actions will of necessity influence others either for good or
for evil. Students, sons, daughters, and the flock, tend to emulate their leaders, parents,
guardians, teachers, or heroes. The tendency is for us to shy away from this responsibility and
reality, but in order to be truly mature and a leader, one must accept this as a reality of
leadership.
Principles Relatedto Being Examples
In regard to being examples to others, it is helpful to consider the following principles:
(1) Being a godly example is not an option, it is commanded in Scripture. Several passages
dealing with this issue will be considered later in this study.
(2) We have no choice in being an example of some kind and having an impact on those
around us, but we do have a choice in the kind of witness and impact we provide. Someone
is going to follow us and be influenced by us. The questions are: Do we know where we are
going? Are we providing the kind of example that will enhance their lives, or are we like the
blind leading the blind?

I think it was Professor Hendricks who said in his tapes on leadership, “I once saw a bumper
sticker that said, “don’t follow me, I’m lost too.” That’s the state of the world and, unfortunately,
of many well-meaning Christians. They are like the commercial pilot who told his passengers, “I
have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is we are lost, but the good news is we
are making good time.”
Motion in itself does not mean direction. Activity in itself never means effectiveness. We can be
like the cowboy who rushed into the coral, bridled and saddled his horse and rode off in all
directions. We need quality lives with quality motion aimed in the right direction with specific,
biblical objectives.
(3) We need Christian maturity that provides people with real honest-to-God examples of
authentic Christ-like living. Effective ministry to others is often equated with such things as
dynamic personalities, with talent, giftedness, training, enthusiasm, and with charisma. But these
things alone are inadequate, as is so evident by the leadership we have seen in the top
government positions in our country the last few years. Much more is needed. In the Bible, the
qualities that lead to effective ministry are found in the elements of spiritual character, in the
character of Christ reproduced in us by the ministry of the Spirit (see Eph. 4:12f.; Gal. 5:22ff).
In his unique style, Dr. Hendricks used to tell the story of a student who came to him with a
problem. The interchange went something like this as I recall:
Student, “Hey Prof, I have a problem.”
Hendricks, “Yea, What’s your problem?”
Student, “Why did the Lord choose Judas?”
Hendricks, “Ah, that’s no problem. I have a bigger problem than that.”
Student, “Yea, what’s that?”
Hendricks, “Why did the Lord choose you? Why did the Lord choose me?”
His point was—look at the disciples. How would you like to launch a worldwide campaign with
the likes of Peter and his compadres? Yet, with these common, average, uneducated men, the
Lord launched a campaign that has spanned the globe and turned the world upside down.
Was this because of their unique and imaginative methodology? No! It was because these
common men knew the Lord and began to experience His life and His qualities of godliness. He
took common men and made them into great men who became spiritual leaders because they
were experiencing Him through the power of the Spirit of God.
(4) Mature Christians and leaders have a responsibility to maintain a consistent example.
This is a constant theme of the Bible. Other than the raw power of the Word itself, nothing is so
determinative for spiritual change in the lives of others as one’s own example. This truth is
strongly taught in 1 Thessalonians 2:1ff where Paul recalls his manner of life and that of his team
to the Thessalonians.20
Problems We Face in Being Examples
(1) The problem of distinctiveness or manifesting biblical character. This relates to the issue
of living so we truly show that what we are, our character, is distinctively the result of knowing
and walking with Christ. But, sometimes what Christian are speaks so loudly that it completely
turns people off or puts them in reverse. If our lives are not what they should be, others not only
will not want to follow us, they will become repelled by what we are. When a Christian’s life is

contrary to what he or she says, it indicates either we are unreal or what we advocate and believe
isn’t true and doesn’t work.
(2) The problem of direction or the wrong example. Unfortunately, the opposite is also true.
Some people will follow us. In this case, not so much in what we say, but in the way we live—in
our priorities, values, and attitudes as well as our actions. If our lives are not what they should
be, we become inverted examples who take people away from the Lord and the life He has called
them to. I have heard, and perhaps you have also, of children who have said, “Daddy, if the
President can lie, why can’t I?”
If we teach our children about the priority of the Lord, of loving others, of the Word, and the
importance of assembling ourselves with others believer to worship, grow, and minister to others
(Heb. 10:24-25), do we demonstrate the reality of this by following the right priorities ourselves?
Or do we find every possible excuse to stay home? Do we consistently allow our family to
engage in pursuits that keep us and our families away from church or fellowship with believers?
This sets a model that says these other pursuits are more important than the Lord or the
assembling together with the body of Christ for Bible Study, prayer, or worship. Actions speak
so much louder than words!
Do we teach our children the principles of being on time, of doing all things decently and in
order? Then are we consistently late? Do our children often miss Sunday school or church
because we are so disorganized that we are unable to make it? Again, Actions speak so much
louder than words!
(3) The problem of definition. By definition we mean giving a clear reason for the way we live
or the clear distinctives of our lives. As Christians, if our lives are different, as they should be,
and we never let others know why we are different, we may have still failed in being examples.
“But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts and always be ready to give an answer to anyone
who asks about the hope you possess” (1 Peter 3:15).
Passages onBeing Examples
Because of the power of our example and the way one’s life either negatively or positively
influences others, the Scripture repeatedly addresses this vital responsibility. Leaders and
Christians as a whole are to be models for others to imitate. In truth, every believer’s life is to
become a source of motivation and direction for others. We are to be a picture of reality, a proof
that Jesus Christ saves and changes lives so we can become a powerful magnet that draws others
to Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:1 and 1 Thessalonians 1:6
“Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1)
“And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you received the message with joy that
comes from the Holy Spirit, despite great affliction” (1 Thess. 1:6),
I don’t know about you, but the idea of telling someone to be an imitator of me is scary. What a
responsibility! You mean people are supposed to follow me? That’s right. That’s the way it
works whether we like it or not. As this passage points out, the issue is who are WE following?
Paul said “be imitators of me,” (i.e. follow me). But then he quickly added, “… just as I also am
of Christ.”

Obviously then, the issue here and the key to leadership and spiritual maturity is not how great
we are, but how much we are following Jesus Christ who is our supreme example. How much
are we allowing Jesus Christ to be the Lord of our lives? Are we in hot pursuit of knowing and
experiencing the life of Christ as was the apostle Paul?
The verb “be” is a present imperative of ginomai, “to become.” Again, it emphasizes this is not
an option. It is a command. The present tense and the meaning of this verb reminds us this is a
process, a target, a goal to set our sights on and pursue daily. None of us ever arrive—but it
should be a daily goal. A key question is, “Are we aiming at the target?”
“Imitate” is mimetes and refers to one who mimics another. It is an active noun which brings out
the concept of an active responsibility, but we should not let the word “mimic” fool us. This is
not a superficial mimicry or a mere imitation. According to New Testament truth, this involves
the process of reproduction. The Lord Jesus seeks to reproduce Himself in us as we appropriate
His life by faith through the knowledge of the Word and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. Christ-
likeness is the direct and exclusive consequence of God’s activity in us. It is not the consequence
of our capacity to imitate God, but the result of God’s capacity to reproduce Himself in us
through the Holy Spirit as we learn His Word and learn to walk by faith.
In 1 Thessalonians, Paul wrote, “You became imitators of us and of the Lord” (1 Thess. 1:6).
The teaching and example of the missionaries (though only for a few weeks) and the afflictions
they faced plus the ever-present ministry of the Spirit were the tools God used to produce
spiritual growth and changed lives. As mentioned, our word imitate may lead to the wrong
impression. Christian imitation has nothing to do with outward conformity where someone
merely copies the actions, mannerisms, or speech of another. The Greek word mimetes is from
mimeomai, “to imitate, emulate, use as a model.” The main idea here is to follow someone as an
ideal model or example. But, as the New Testament context makes clear, this is not merely a
matter of external conformity, but change from the inside out by means of the Spirit and the
application of biblical truth as seen in the life of the mature Christian model.
Hebrews 13:7
“Remember your leaders, who spoke God’s message to you; reflect on the outcome of their lives
and imitate their faith.”
This verse teaches us that the secret to leading others flows out of the recognition by others of
the rightness of the life of the leader. The leader’s life becomes the ‘proof of the pudding,’ as
they say.
The word, “result” is the Greek ekbasin, which refers to the outcome or product of something. In
this context, it is the manner of life of the leader which has made him an example. It refers to the
manner of the lives of their leaders that had been centered in the Word and the walk of faith. This
had a specific outcome—Christlikeness or godliness.
Note the word “considering.” This is anatheoreo, which means “to scan, look closely.” The basic
root of the word means to look at something, not indifferently but purposefully, in order to arrive
at a conclusion. In other words, people are going to be watching us and to a certain degree, the
example of our lives will affect the conclusions at which they arrive, not only about us, but about
Jesus Christ and Christianity. In this context in Hebrews 13, we should perhaps also note verse
17, “Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls and will give an
account for their work.” The willingness of people to follow and be persuaded greatly depends of
the kind of examples we become.

Jesus was meant to be immitated

Jesus was meant to be immitated

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