imitators

Imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Heb 6 v 12

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Cor 11 v 1

I urge you, then, be imitators of me. 1 Cor 4 v 6

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord. 1 Thess 1 v 6

For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus. 1 Thess 2 v 14

We often ask the question in circumstances and situations, what would Jesus do?. The idea of taking Jesus as our example and imitating Him is acceptable and desired. The idea of looking to another person as an example, or as a church leader looking to another church as an example, is often frowned upon.

Paul was a great man of God but he certainly was not perfect but still he encouraged believers to imitate him. I think today we would be saying who does this guy think he is? He hasn't got it all together? He is pointing us to a man instead of Jesus.

Paul knew only too well that he didn't have it all together. He was very open about his struggles. But he also knew that he had learned some lessons along the way. He had fought some battles and had the scars. He had learned some truth about the kingdom. Which he knew was valuable for other followers of Jesus.

I believe God uses examples, models and mentors as a way of helping us develop personally and as church leaders, to grow local church.

Find people, and churches, who are stronger than you are, have gone through what you are going through, further along the road that you & IMITATE.