STEEMCHURCH: We have to be imitators and imitable.
Hello my dear brothers of @steemchurch
Imitate. In this word we can see the urgent need for us as Christians to be imitators but also to be imitable people. We see this example not only in the apostle Paul where he places himself in the position of a person who imitates but who is also imitable if not in the person of Jesus, he himself said I do what I see the Father do (John 5: 19), and at the same time is the most worthy example to imitate for all of us. For Paul says I imitate Christ.
We must imitate good examples.
The apostle says imitate me, what he is saying is, I am a good example to imitate because he imitated Christ.
3 John 1:11 "Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God; but he who does evil has not seen God".
We have an example: The canary that imitated sparrows.
A man who had a canary who sang very well, when spring came, he thought that the poor bird needed more air and sun, so he took it out to the garden, hanging the cage from a tree. Swarms of sparrows soon surrounded the cage, and the canary began to imitate the little musical creak of his new friendships. The owner of the bird noticed and took the canary back to the house. But it was too late. The little bird had lost his song forever.
It is true that we often see very bad examples, where we go the bad examples are, but despite all this we must imitate the good example we see in someone, let us inspire, sometimes it is good to stop a bit and observe, detail how Someone does that which is difficult for me.
Observe in detail those people who have managed to do what I find difficult, and not to compare myself with that person but to inspire myself and believe that just as HE, a normal human being has achieved things I can do it too.
In this passage that we read is the apostle John, and speaks about a character called Diotrefes, he says Diotrefes is a person who does things that are not worthy to imitate, he works badly, he has opposed us in everything, speaks badly of us, but when we go we will unmask it.
And the apostle John advises Gaius not to imitate such behavior, so that he imitates good behaviors. Let's be the ones who imitate the good, the ones we let ourselves be inspired by the good of the people.
In this verse we can also realize that there are people worthy of imitation, there are still good examples, the apostle speaks of another man named Demetrio and says everyone speaks well of him. So let's see people worthy to imitate and if you do not see them then be one of them.
Do you have good examples to imitate?
Do you have people who motivate you with the example they give?
Hebrews 13: 7 "Think of the leaders who told you the message of God, for they always trusted in God. Think a lot of them and follow their example".
The Word of God commands us first to follow examples in men and women of God, to follow examples in the church.
Hebrews 6:12 "We do not want you to become lazy. Rather, without hesitating for an instant, follow the example of those who trust in God, because that is how they will receive what God has promised them".
Again the word of God urges us to follow the example of mature, persevering Christian people, so we have examples to imitate. The word motivates us to work, strive to follow the example of those who have reached promises of God and tells us not to be lazy look at the work of those who have achieved victories so you will be able to achieve what I have for you. But do not be lazy, we have to make an effort.
We must all be imitable.
Just as the apostle placed himself in the position of someone imitable, so each one of us are called to be imitable models for others.
Philippians 4:17 "Be imitators of me, and look to those who thus conduct themselves".
Those who behave like Pablo. We are going to see this verse from the perspective not of the one that imitates but of the model, of which it is imitable. Not the one who looks but the one who is said to look like that man, look at how that woman conducts herself.
There are people who surely do not read the Bible, but they will see our walk and they will be able to see the word in action. The apostle Paul spoke to the church in Corinth, they had not seen Christ, they did not have the gospel because it had not yet been written, not like us now, that's why Paul says to them, imitate my position that I move like Christ.
You have not heard Christ, because you can hear it in me, you have not seen Christ, you can see it in me, you did not see the walk of Christ, I walk like Him. This world needs to see God in praxis of the church, in the daily life of the church, you need someone who models you and tells you without words, this is how Christ wants us to be.
That's how you love God, that's how you serve Him, that's how the Bible says we should move, this is how we should love.
IN the current world it is not very common to find virtues such as kindness, compassion, forgiveness and love. We may even be striving to cultivate them ourselves, but we feel unable to do so. Why? Perhaps we are too critical of our own shortcomings and we have even convinced ourselves that we can never overcome certain impediments, such as a deeply rooted vice or the memory of a bad experience. However, the Bible reveals something very encouraging: our Creator knows well that within all people there is the potential to cultivate good qualities.
DR
Why should we have the desire to imitate God? We find a strong motivation in Paul's words already quoted: "Become imitators of God, as beloved children." Indeed, Jehovah sees his servants as children whom he loves with all his heart. Is not that a very moving idea? And just as a child imitates his father, true Christians do everything possible to imitate their heavenly Father.
However, Jehovah does not force us to imitate him. Rather, it honors us by granting us free will. Therefore, each one of us must decide if he will strive to act like him (Deuteronomy 30:19, 20). What we must never forget is that we all have the ability to cultivate qualities like yours. Of course, to imitate it, you must first know it. If we study the Bible, we will learn a lot about the incomparable personality of God and we will be able to count ourselves among the millions of people who imitate him today.
DR
A very good point.
We don't need to only bring people closer to God by our words, we can also do that by our actions which is at its best when we imitate christ. That is being a true Christian
Obey him and imitiate him for he is the lord of all creatures he has the power to do all things according to his wish and his power,
Our lives should be directed towards the right part and the ways which will place the saviour .
Things which er do everyday should always be inclined by his words and his sacred direction.
The situation of men are so many but that doesn't mean that God will not attend to all of them one by one.
His eyes are too far to see the unseen , his ear is too large to hear all your complains .
Prayer is the only thing which can save us from all sorts of evil and keep us moving and making Gods presence be with us.
Christ when he came to the earth has given us power and authority to always be with him in prayer .
He gave example of what we should be praying for everyday.
God has given you power to take over everything and do his will with all your power and your might .
Work for God and you will always be assured if his mercies and blessings for he never foresaken his children who have faith in him and are ready to do his will
For what reason would it be advisable for us to want to emulate God? We locate a solid inspiration in Paul's words as of now cited: "Progress toward becoming imitators of God, as cherished youngsters." Indeed, Jehovah sees his workers as kids whom he adores with his entire existence. Isn't that an exceptionally moving thought? Furthermore, similarly as a youngster mirrors his dad, genuine Christians do everything conceivable to impersonate their wonderful Father.
We are to watch our means and activities and deeds in light of the fact that our lives may be the guide for others and their course to God.
By being imitators of Christ we become imitable people! excellent publication!
The word of God urges us to follow the example of mature, persevering Christian people, so we have examples to imitate
I always say that there are people who will never read the bible nor go to church, they will only be looking at our lives and learn to change their ways. This is why we cannot live anyhow but how Christ lived. We are imitable to world because we are the light of this world. Wherever we go light must shine for those in darkness to see the goodness of light.
Very true, we have to be of good examples to others and also imitate others who have good manners and respect for Jesus Christ.
We should always live a life that pleases Jesus Christ, so others can imitate us, and always imitate Jesus Christ, we should always learn to be humble like him, to always love God own people like him, we should always learn to forgive, to help, to pray, to encourage, to be respectful just like him.
For others to imitate us.
We as Christians must be imitable, as mush as we are imitating the life of Christ here on earth, we must also live a life thats worthy of imitating as well unto the world, for the bible says we're the light of the world.