Articles
How I Can Imitate Jesus
Jesus called upon His disciples to take up their cross daily and follow Him (Lk. 9:23). Paul said, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). In Philippians 2:5 Christians are instructed to have the mind of Christ. The apostle Peter’s inspired instruction says, “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps” (1 Pet. 2:21). So, there can be no doubt that God calls upon His children to be imitators of Christ. The question is, “How can I improve in imitating Christ?”
#12 By respecting and obeying those in authority (Jn. 19:10-11; Mat. 22:15-22; 26:63-64).
#11 By feeding the hungry (Jn. 6:1-15).
#10 By helping the sick (Mat. 8:1-3).
#9 By sharing in people’s joy and in their pain (Jn. 2:1-11; 11:35; Rom. 12:15).
#8 By rebuking the prideful and exhorting the humble (Lk. 7:36-50).
#7 By standing up for God and standing against those who pervert God’s word (Mat. 15:3-9).
#6 By not allowing prejudice to turn me aside from God’s will (Mat. 15:21-28; 28:19).
#5 By having a habit of assembling for worship (Lk. 4:16).
#4 By bringing myself into subjection to do God’s will when it is easy and, even more so, when it is the most difficult (Jn. 8:29; Mat. 26:39, 42).
#3 By seeking to save the lost (Lk. 19:10; Mat. 18:11).
#2 By loving my brethren and my neighbor as Christ has taught (John 13:34-35; Mat. 22:39).
And the #1 way I can grow to be more like my Savior and Lord Jesus Christ is:
#1 By loving God first and foremost in words and in action (Mat. 22:37-38; Jn. 14:31).
After Jesus’ baptism God spoke from heaven saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Mat. 3:17). On the mount of transfiguration God spoke from a cloud saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” (Mat. 17:5). In Acts 1 and 2 God demonstrated His pleasure in His Son by bringing Him home and saying, “Sit at My right hand, till I make your enemies Your footstool” (Acts 2:34-35). Because of God’s pleasure in Jesus, He made Him both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36).
If God has such pleasure in Jesus, will He not take pleasure in us also as we strive to become more like Jesus Christ? “It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master” (Mat. 10:25a).
Challenge: Create your own list of ways you believe you need to grow to be more like Jesus. Post it somewhere you will see it every day. Make it your daily goal to imitate more and more your Savior and dearest friend ever—Jesus Christ.
