Imitation 101

Preach the gospel. If necessary, use words. - St. Francis of Assisi

We must never underestimate the power of an example, for it is great. Children naturally learn from the examples they are given. There is no course called "Imitation 101: The Art of Learning from Example" that is necessary to convince your children to learn in this manner. From infancy, children begin to imitate those around them. They respond to others by mimicking their facial expressions. If you smile at an infant, he or she will return your smile.

As they grow, children imitate their parents' actions. They follow behind their parents with a play lawn-mower. Attempting to imitate those they love, they play house, school, and dress-up.

But the power of example goes far beyond simple mimicry. Children learn one of the most difficult disciplines - communication through the spoken word - primarily by imitating the example of those around them. They learn to actually speak before they ever begin to grasp the rules of grammar. Just consider this: Your parents never sat down and meticulously taught you: "Now every sentence includes a subject and verb. Verbs are either active or passive, transitive or linking. Linking verbs require predicate nominatives. Transitive verbs require direct objects. Adverbs modify verbs. Adjectives modify nouns... Now talk!"

Children learn by first observing, then imitating, and only then, beginning to master the rules and gain understanding of their significance.

We learn faith in the same way. We observe others who profess faith. We imitate their actions. And then, we seek to master the rules and grow in understanding.

We teach faith to others in the same way. We offer an example that can be observed. In this way, we "bear witness" of our faith.

Truth can be rather abstract. Principles are not necessarily easy to translate to life. A fleshed out, concrete example of faithfulness is needed to guide others to faith. They need not only hear our testimony but also see the results of our testimony. Through our actions, we give the truth of our Christian profession arms, legs, ears, and mouths. By doing this, we "bear witness" to our faith.

Never underestimate the power of an example. It attracts and transforms. As Jesus said: "Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16).

The Power of an Example among the People of God

Paul understood the power of an example. A sampling of verses proves this to be the case:

• For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel. I appeal to you, then, be imitators of me. (1 Corinthians 4:15-16)
• Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1)
• Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:9)

Paul not only encouraged others to practice what they had learned, received, and heard, but also what they had seen in him.

The power of an example is so great that Paul called his understudies, his "spiritual sons" in the faith to offer their parishioners a model to others through word and deed. To the Corinthian church, Paul writes, "For this reason I sent you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ Jesus, as I teach them everywhere in every church" (1 Corinthians 4:17). He encourages Timothy, "Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). He admonishes his other "son" Titus, "Show yourself in all respects a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured; then any opponent will be put to shame, having nothing evil to say of us" (Titus 2:7-8).

A pastor must possess purity of doctrine. But more is involved in bearing witness to the truth of the Christian faith than Christian orthodoxy. A pastor must also to be exemplary in speech and conduct. What they say is important. How they live is equally important. For the gospel is proclaimed not only in word, but in deed.

All Christian leaders must be examples to their followers. Peter writes, "Now as an elder myself and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as one who shares in the glory to be revealed, I exhort the elders among you to tend the flock of God that is in your charge, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion but willingly, as God would have you do it - not for sordid gain but eagerly. Do not lord it over those in your charge, but be examples to the flock" (1 Peter 5:1-3). The author of Hebrews agrees: "Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you; consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith" (Hebrew 13:7).

But the model does not stop with ordained leaders. Leaders are models in order that all believers may learn to be examples of faith: "Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us" (Philippians 3:17). All believers, whether they be pastors, teachers, or parishioners, are exhorted to live in such a way that their lives may be an example to others. So, you can't get off the hook simply because you're not a pastor!

Our common goal is to follow in the way of the master, our Lord Jesus Christ. We learn of the way of Christ through the witness of others. Just as the truth came through Christ - that is, enfleshed - so truth continues to come to us through unique personalities shaped by faith in Christ. In imitating Christ, we do not lose our unique personality, but rather, our unique personality is christened. It takes on the shape of Christ in a unique way which accords with our own personality.

I remember early in my ministry I made the mistake of trying to imitate other's personalities, and not just their christlike qualities. For a time, while I was immersed in Puritan writings, I tried to preach like a Puritan. But "old English" eventually seemed archaic and off-putting. Then, while learning to preach under my first pastor, I tried to imitate his style and mannerisms, rather than being myself. I eventually learned that following other's model did not mean exactly replicating their style, mannerisms, and personality.

I was helped by discovering all the diverse personalities revealed in the sacred scriptures. John and James, the fiery disciples, did not lose their fire and passion as they become more like Jesus. Instead, their passion was transformed for love, not vengeance. Paul did not lose his brilliance and logic. Instead, he incorporated this unique quality in his writings, and we all benefit from this. Peter, the zealous and enthusiastic disciple, did not lose his enthusiasm, but rather, channeled it for the gospel.

Each personality shines through in their writings. No one is exactly alike. Peter is not like Paul who is not like John. They are, each one, like Christ, but they are, each one, quite different. They offered themselves, in all their uniqueness, to walking in the way of the Master.

The Ultimate Model

Ultimately, our goal is to imitate God, our creator, redeemer, and sanctifier. This is a high calling, but the scriptures pull no punches when it comes to this goal. Paul writes, "Be imitators of God, as beloved children" (Ephesians 5:1). This is the same standard repeatedly given under the Old Covenant: "Be holy as Yahweh is holy." Using this as his basis, Peter admonishes his congregation, "Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy'" (1 Peter 1:14-16).

The call to reflect God's holiness does not change under the New Covenant. Contrary to some, God's standards have not softened because of the gospel. If anything, the standard has been intensified in Christ. The call to "be holy as God is holy" is still as valid today as it was from the beginning.

Jesus himself taught this. For example, in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches, "But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous... Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:44-45, 48).

The difference between the Old Covenant and New Covenant is not the standard, but the model. As Christians, we believe that God has been revealed most clearly in the person of Jesus Christ. Jesus is the "Word of God made flesh" (John 1:1, 14). Jesus fleshes out what God's holiness looks like in human form. Jesus is "the image of the invisible God" (Colossians 1:15; cf. 2 Corinthians 4:4). Jesus uniquely reveals the heart of God to us: "No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father's heart, who has made him known" (John 1:18). Jesus is the perfect model for "He is the reflection of God's glory and the exact imprint of God's very being" (Hebrews 1:3). In him, we see "the glory of God in the face of Christ" (2 Corinthians 4:6). For this reason, Jesus could authoritatively pronounce that "whoever has seen me has seen the Father" (John 14:9).

In Jesus, we see truth modeled. It is for this reason that Jesus calls us to follow his example: "For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you" (John 13:15). And what is it that Jesus exemplifies? Holy love! "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:3-35).

Notice what is "new" about the "new commandment." It is not that the commandment itself is new. The same command is found in Leviticus. It is not the content of the command that is new; it is that a new model has been given to us in Christ. The new aspect is that the command now has a flesh and blood model to follow. Jesus' disciples are to love others "as I have loved you."

Jesus Christ fully reveals what it means to imitate God in every situation, for he is God manifest in the flesh. With other biblical characters, we can never be quite sure if their actions are worthy of imitation or warnings of what not to do. Should we put a fleece out like Gideon or simply trust God at God's word? Should we marry many wives like David or stick to just one? Should we build a huge home like Solomon, or live quiet, modest lives? With Christ, we never have to wonder. He always does what is right (even if we sometimes left confused by his statements or actions. In other words the problem is not with Christ, but with us!). His example is always worth imitating. Jesus is the perfect model of holiness, godliness, and love.

Never underestimate the power of a model. Jesus teaches that if the church will follow his example - love one another as we have been loved in Christ - then "everyone will know that you are my disciples." The attractional and transformational power of the way of Christ is released by faithful lives. The secret of church growth cannot be reduced to techniques, fads, or novelties. The secret is in our personal and corporate desire to "bear witness" to Christ with lives characterized by holy love.   

Our Common Goal

The goal of our salvation - and let's be clear about this - is complete conformity to the image and likeness of Christ. God has predestined us to become conformed to the image of his Son (Romans 8:29). We know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him (1 John 3:2). Though the process remains incomplete in this life, we look forward in hope to its final consummation: "But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation so that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself" (Philippians 3:20-21).

True holiness is a matter of "Christ being formed in us" (Galatians 4:19). This does not mean that we lose our unique gifts, talents, or personalities. It does mean that we should strive to see Christ's virtues uniquely formed into our lives. We cannot "get out of the way." It is in us and through us that God seeks to manifest christlikeness. There is no depersonalized message of God. We communicate truth through personality - not just by word, but by our lives.

Following in the way of Christ is what the Christian faith is all about. It is the reason we are called "Christians" which means "little Christs." Our call is to be an example of Christian faithfulness, that our lives may manifest the truth of God fleshed out. Ultimately, being like Christ will mean practicing other-oriented, self-giving love.

A Special Call to Men

Today is Father's Day. In light of this, I'd like to offer a challenge to all the men present.

We are called to imitate Christ. This is the best way to bear witness to the goodness and truthfulness of the Christian faith. Our actions speak louder than words. No matter what we say, if our lives do not follow suit, then our witness is muted.

Men, if we want our children and grandchildren (and spiritual children) to walk in the way of Christ, we must first walk ahead of them. We must not only tell them, but show them the way.

Most importantly, we must not communicate by our absence or lack of participation that religion is just for women. The way of Christ is not effete or irrelevant. I know the common arguments: I know that men don't like to be told what to do. I know that men are not prone to finding their self in community.[1] We tend to buy the Enlightenment myth of the self-made man. We tend to view faith as effete and weak. But we are wrong.

Trusting God is manly. Faith in God is a sign of strength. Walking in the way of Christ is not for wimps. Jesus was many things, but no one could call him a wimp.

We teach our children what we really think about our faith by our actions. And regardless of what we say, we teach by our participation or absence. Men, the greatest gift you can give to your children is to pass on the faith. You cannot do this unless you strive to offer a model. If you want your children to walk in the way of the Master, you yourself must also walk this road. It is your responsibility, and great privilege, to be a model to them. They need an example, so that you, like Paul, can say, "Follow me as I follow Christ."

And since none of us can claim to have mastered the way of Christ, our common goal is to continue to learn of Christ together, that we might follow his model more faithfully.

© Richard J. Vincent, 2009