READING: Psalms 110-115, 1 Corinthians 10:1-11:1
The text in 1 Corinthians 11 always challenges me. In fact, all of these texts challenge me:
- “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1)
- “For you may have countless instructors in Christ, but you don’t have many fathers. For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Therefore I urge you to imitate me.” (1 Cor 4:15-16)
- “Join in imitating me, brothers and sisters, and pay careful attention to those who live according to the example you have in us.” (Phil 3:17)
- “Therefore, be imitators of God, as dearly loved children.” (Eph 5:1)
We’re to imitate God. God is conforming us to the image of His Son (Rom 8:29), and we’re to live in such a way that we give evidence of that ongoing transformation. And, God’s plan is that others can then see how we live our lives—imperfect though they may be—and imitate us as followers of Christ.
I’m always left with this question then: if someone walked in my shoes precisely as I follow God today, would that person be following God well? Would he read the Word consistently? Would he pray? Would he fight hard against temptation? Would evangelism mark his life? Would he be investing in others, beginning with his family? The challenge is great, but the mandate is clear for us: we are to model obedience.
PRAYER: “God, convict me today of all areas where I’m not imitating Christ well.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Psalms 116-118, 1 Corinthians 11:2-26