What is the simplest way to learn a skill? How do children learn to walk? To talk? Imitation. Monkey-see, monkey-do, right? It’s so easy a monkey could do it. In fact, monkeys are so good at imitating people, one of the expressions for a good imitation of another person is to “ape” someone.
But don’t kid yourself—imitation is not THAT easy. You can spend years learning to “ape” the motions of Roger Clemens on the mound, am I right? And don’t get me started on learning a proper golf swing. Some imitations can be perplexing. Ask anyone trying to master a new language. No matter how often you hear a word or phrase, you may never be able to speak it like a local—you may forever have an accent. But you keep working on the imitation anyway.
Paul encourages imitation:
If you want to grow in Christ, do what mature Christians do.
“I urge you, be imitators of me” 1 Corinthians 4:16.
“Be imitators of me, just as I also am an imitator of Christ” 11:1.
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children” Ephesians 5:1.
“Be imitators of those who through faith and endurance inherit the promises” Hebrews 6:12.
“Be imitators of us… we make ourselves an example to you so that you might imitate us” 2 Thessalonians 3:7,9.
Paul commends believers in Thessalonica for having chosen to imitate their role models:
“You became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word during great affliction with the joy of the Holy Spirit.” 1 Thessalonians 1:6.
“You became imitators of the churches of God in Christ… for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews” 1 Thessalonians 2:14.
Honestly, walking with God is tough (it’s not for the faint of heart—i.e., the “soft”). It is TOUGH, but it is SIMPLE: imitate Jesus, Paul, and your local Christian role models. Do what they do: read the word, study, pray, memorize, worship, talk about your faith.
“Be imitators of me, just as I am of Christ…” 1 Corinthians 11:1.
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