Imitate me

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. — 1 Corinthians 11:1

Andrew Marton recalls the first time he met his future brother-in-law Peter Jennings, who was a top foreign news correspondent in 1977. He said he was so nervous that he acted like “a jittery fan in the presence of a journalistic hero whose personal wattage could light up Manhattan”.

Andrew looked up to Peter and tried to emulate him. He became a journalist too and approached his assignments the way Peter did — “he dove in and worked harder than everybody else.” Andrew tried to walk like Peter, to dress like him, and to have the same “aura.”

We all tend to follow the patterns of others. The Corinthians did too. But they shifted their focus away from Christ and onto individual leaders. Rather than emulating the Christlike qualities of these leaders, they let their allegiances lead to various divisions and contentions in the church (1 Cor. 1:10-13). The apostle Paul recognized their error, so he sent Timothy to remind them of his teachings and the importance of walking in obedience to the Lord (4:16-17).

We are to imitate Christ (1 Peter 1:15-16). It can also be helpful to have mentors who imitate Him. Those who walk in step with Christ provide a model for us to emulate. But our ultimate example is Jesus Himself.     — Anne Cetas

To follow in the steps of those

Whose eyes are on the Lord

Will help to keep us strong and true,

And faithful to His Word.  — D. De Haan

READ: 1 Corinthians 4:9-17

Imitate those who imitate Christ.

The Bible in one year:

• Ezra 3-5

• John 20