Devotions

The world is full of imitations of the real thing.  The Dictionary tells us that an "imitator" is a a copy or counterfeit of the real thing.  People love to pretend that they are better than they really are.  But to "imitate" also means to follow the example of a person and copy their speech, mannerisms and actions.

There is only One true Example.  Ephesians 5:1-2 sets out our Lord Jesus Christ as the supreme Example that we should copy and follow:

"Be therefore followers (imitators) of God as dear children,
And walk in love as Christ has loved us,
And given Himself for us as an offering and sacrifice to God."

We are to be like Jesus, not just in the way we act, but in our innermost values and attitudes toward life.  As we have fellowship with the Holy Spirit, we will develop the same attitude as that of Christ.  Paul tells us in the letter to the Philippians 2:1-5 that following Jesus means to live a life:

This means that in all things our attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.  Although He was in the very nature of God, He did not consider His equality with God as something to be grabbed.  Instead He made Himself nothing and served others as a servant.

We must be interested in others too, but it's not enough to act unselfishly, we must be free from inner selfishness.  As Christ died on the cross for us, so we must die to ourselves and find a true and better self in Jesus.  Yes, it is possible to be an imitator and be true.  I want to imitate and follow Jesus Christ my Saviour, and be true to my Father in Heaven.  And I hope you do too!

God bless.