CHRISTIANS: Imitation or Real?
by John Grant
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney
“To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.� 1 Peter 2:21
It was a beautiful watch, one of the top brands. I loved wearing it and it always gave the right time. I priced one in a jewelry store at more than $5,000. But after wearing it for nearly a year, the stem broke and I threw the beautiful watch in the trash. Now, you might ask, why would I throw away such a valuable timepiece rather than getting it fixed. The answer is that it was a fake, one that I purchased for $25 at a flea market in Beijing. The watch gave every exterior evidence of being the real thing, but inside, it was a cheap imitation.
A lot of Christians are like that…. imitation Christians. "Oh, I believe Christ was our Great Example". I always ask myself, 'What would Jesus do?' and then I try to do it." Sorry, my friend, there’s no place in the New Testament that comments on following the example of Jesus to be saved or in any way confirms the doctrine of "salvation by imitation."
The apostle Peter mentioned Christ (in 1 Peter 2:21) as an example who was sinless even under gross mistreatment and who entrusted Himself completely in His suffering to His Father. Peter continues, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; for by his wounds you have been healed." (1 Peter 2:24)
We are not saved by imitating Jesus. We are saved by surrendering our life to Him. The biggest problem with being saved by following Christ's example is that we've already blown it. It's awfully hard to imitate someone with a perfect record, especially when the only "passing grade" in that system is perfection.
Jesus is not only our example but He is also our substitute. He took the consequences of our sin upon Himself so that through faith in Him we might receive forgiveness and healing and abundant eternal life. Even if your concept is close, when you try to "be like Jesus" in your own strength, you are doomed to frustration. You can't do it. It takes the power of the Holy Spirit to live the Christian life and that comes not from imitation, but from total surrender.
You must transfer your trust from your own "trying" to the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. You must divorce your notions of what you think Jesus would do, and accept the Scriptures as the standard for what you believe and do. And, put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross and arose again from the dead, to be your only Savior and the King of your life.
Are you an "imitation Christian" or the real thing?
(a thought on life from John Grant )
You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/11/15/jg_imitation/
Tags: Christianity, God's love, Jesus, joy, pure, refuge
November 15th, 2009 at 10:07 am
A very instructive and thoughtful devotional.
Thank you Bro. John.
Blessings.
November 15th, 2009 at 11:55 am
I am reminded of the Christians who turn up once a year for Midnight Mass for the 'nice' carols, the pretty decorations - the tree and the crib - aaah! And all the candles, and everyone gooey and happy. And people would even buy tickets at their hotel for entry to the Christmas services at Westminster Abbey in London. Imitation or real? Who knows. I used to think, what crass behaviour - and yet? Who knows what God is about - who knows what little spark of true faith will rub off - catch,...
November 15th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
... and ignite. I am reminded too of the man who sits almost every day at the back of the Anglican Cathedral in Sydney (Australia) saying, "I don't know what this is all about," and then spends his days helping alcoholic and drug addicts out of the gutters.
November 15th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
What is it that the child has to teach?
The child naively believes that everything should be fair
and everyone should be honest,
that only good should prevail,
that everybody should have what they want
and there should be no pain or sadness.
The child believes the world should be perfect
and is outraged to discover it is not.
And the child is right.
November 15th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
I believe that I am a true Christain, on the way that I do things and also the way that I treat people, family, friends and yes strasngers. Really hope and Pray that I live the way that Jesus and God would want me to.
Helping the hunger y, and the lonley and homeless and being there for stanges in my church when they have questions, have bought coffee for strangers when I know that they are cold. At my church we give food out to the hungry every day and we feed the hungrya dn lonley once a...