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The current series we are studying has been looking at how we are created in the image of God. Over the last few weeks we have looked at what it means to be God's visible representatives on this planet in that we have been called to lead others to Christ, to perform the sacraments and one day rule with Him in glory. This week we look at a different aspect of imago Dei, one which will most likely be more familiar to many of us. A key feature of being created in the image of God is that we have His resemblance, and this week I would like us to investigate a particular word used by Paul, the Greek word mimētēs. This word means imitators, and is used in five places in Paul's writing. We will look at each one in turn.

1 Corinthians 4:16

'I urge you, then, be imitators of me.' This first verse sounds very proud; Paul literally told the people of the church in Corinth to be more like him. I'm not sure if any of you will have had an experience where your spouse turns to you during an argument and says something along the lines of 'oh, why can't you be more like [insert name here]?' Let me tell you, it is not that nice an experience! But what would it sound like if instead they said: 'oh, why can't you be more like me?' It would sound horribly proud and self-obsessed, yet that is exactly what Paul says in this verse! A tendency of many cults is to take one verse out of context and form a theology around it, and I do not wish to do so here; I do not think that it is biblical to go around telling everyone to 'be more like us' so let's have a look at another instance of mimētēs.

1 Corinthians 11:1

'Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.' Okay so this verse is later on in the same letter same word, same time, same author, same target audience, and Paul expands on his original statement. He now includes the reason why we should be mimētēs of Paul; it is because he himself is an imitator of Christ. So we can draw our first conclusion and challenge from these verses - Paul felt that he was in a position where he could instruct the Corinthians to imitate him because he had imitated Christ. This gives us two conclusions:

Firstly, we need some humility to observe those in leadership and aim to be more like them. Part of the fall has meant that when someone is put in authority over us we complain and think of reasons why it doesn't apply to us, but we are in desperate need of leadership and should respond to this biblical command appropriately. Secondly, we need to recognise what Paul has said here. He intentionally did not just say 'be imitators of me' and then leave it there; he explained why we should! If Paul had done something which was unlike Christ's example it would have been reasonable for the Corinthians to question whether or not they should imitate him. If we genuinely believe that those in leadership over us are acting in an unbiblical manner then they are called to submit to higher authority, as are we. We should take this to the appropriate channel, if necessary question the leader in question in humility, and seek to see a godly example set.

1 Thessalonians 1:6

'And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit'. Paul clarifies his point in his first letter to the Thessalonians, in which he did not just say that the church should imitate him but stated that they imitate both Paul and Jesus. In becoming imitators it is interesting that we see two symptoms of a Christian life. At any time I would suggest that we can perform a healthcheck on our faith by seeing activity in these two areas - we should be seeing plenty in both:

Firstly Paul mentions affliction. While this is not a popular message to talk about, and one which many preachers try their hardest to avoid or even deny, it is something which is very common in the New Testament and early church. As Christians we are called to suffer for our faith - do not listen to the false teachers who say that God will make you healthy, wealthy, wise and popular - while you will be blessed with eternal life in a perfect body, treasures in heaven, undying wisdom and a perfect timeless reconciled relationship to the Father it is clear that we are called to be like Jesus, who was a homeless son born out of wedlock, so hated by people that even one of his closest friends gave him away to be brutally tortured and murdered. Be prepared for suffering if you are truly a Christian and read 2 Corinthians 11:23-33 and thank God that you do not suffer as Paul did.

Paul also mentions joy. On occasion we find Paul commanding Christians to 'rejoice!' because it is not that natural a stance to have in our affliction, yet should be the outpouring of a regenerated heart. We should be joyful not based on our temporary circumstances but based on the fact that God's ill-deserved favour has been poured out so generously on us! We deserve hell, yet Jesus suffered affliction in our place in order that we might be in the presence of God for all eternity. How can we not be moved to joy? Please quickly note that joy does not mean 'be happy'; joy is an attitude of positivity regardless of our circumstances so please let's not feel bad that in hard times we are sad - let's just not let that sadness diminish our faith in Jesus.

Ephesians 5:1

'Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children.' Of course, we find that Paul eventually underlines where the importance of this word mimētēs truly lies. The most important aspect of being mimētēs is that we must be like God. We will look at this in more depth in coming weeks so I merely want to mention it here but let's embrace this truth; 'be imitators of God'!

1 Thessalonians 2:14

'For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea. For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they did from the Jews'. Finally I think it is important to look at this final passage. This use of mimētēs is different from the rest; Paul this time tells us to imitate one another rather than himself or even God - why? I believe that this underlines two key themes we have already visited this week:

Firstly Paul mentioned suffering once more. He here explicitly points out that suffering is not just random but can often be quite targeted. It can come from circumstances, from our enemies, or even from our closest friends. Paul points out that the churches in Judea were persecuted by the Jews and that the Thessalonians were persecuted by other Thessalonians. If we are Christians we should expect that our closest friends should begin persecuting us - if they do not I honestly think we should be asking the question 'why not?' and I believe that the answer will most commonly be that we are not living radically enough. The truth of the gospel demands a transformation of our lives, which should make a difference to those around us. The second most common answer will most likely be that we do not have enough friends who are not Christians - so let's be proactive about getting some, that they might be impacted by the gospel as well!

Finally Paul would underline to us the importance of humility - he applauded the Thessalonians for learning from other Christians, and we should do the same. It is far too easy to fall into the trap of thinking that our church is the best church in the world and that those of other denominations are wrong, but the truth is that we're on the same team. We do need to be clear about some key doctrines such as the cross, the Trinity, grace and so on, but for minor doctrinal differences such as women in leadership, whether or not Jesus visited hell, or the best age for baptism we should choose to unite despite our differences, regardless of the fact that I think I am right and many others may be wrong. Jesus said that he desires us to be one, even as he and the Father are one, so let's not divide over inconsequential differences and rather let's unite behind our heavenly King, stepping forward in humility to learn from one another and become more like him.

"'Christ in You...'" from Dale Krebbs

Storms Of Life