Deaf Devotion 7/23/2010

“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV)

At first glance it looks like Paul is talking about becoming a person that really follows Jesus from place to place always looking for something else. Like they are looking for something Jesus to do something better, something more exciting, or even something more meaningful. In this verse, if one were to study the Greek means for us to be imitators of Jesus just as Paul became an imitator of Jesus.

Everything Jesus taught, Paul taught. Every insult Jesus took, Paul took. Every step Jesus took, Paul took. Paul became an imitator of Jesus even to the point of death. Paul faced death several times only to be spared because God had a bigger mission in mind for him. For Jesus, His mission was to die for all sin. Only Jesus could do that. Paul could not and knew it. So he became an imitator of Jesus

What does it mean to “imitate?” To imitate is to copy the characteristics of an example as closely as possible. It means to act like someone or something. It also means to do all one can to equal, excel, or match the example.

Paul had a certain attitude that Christians are wise to imitate, follow, or copy. He reveals some of his heart in 1 Corinthians chapter 11.

There is humility. Pride cannot hide in the heart of a believer who understands God’s mercy. Paul spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ because he believed that God’s grace, which was sufficient to save a sinner like him, and is more than adequate for anyone to become saved and have eternal life.

Paul had a sense of responsibility. He never lost sight of how far God's grace had brought him and he frequently reminded believers of his role in persecuting the church. Paul says, “even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor, yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief.” (1 Timothy 1:13 NASB) Paul's gratitude for salvation from that former life never decreased. The book of Acts records the almost constant turmoil and heartache of his travels, and yet he kept praising the Lord for the honor of serving.

Paul also knew dependence. To describe the source of his strength, Paul used these words: "But whatever I am now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without results. For I have worked harder than any of the other apostles; yet it was not I but God who was working through me by his grace." (1 Corinthians 15:10 NLT) He knew what it was like to depend upon one's own goodness and work to be religious. It took Jesus to show Paul how foolish this is and then Paul wanted no part of it. Paul desired more dependence on Jesus and no dependence on himself. “Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.” (Philippians 3:8 NLT)

Paul took on a spirit of absolute confidence. At the end of his life, Paul was as certain as ever that God was real, in charge, and worthy of all honor, glory, and praise. He knew no other Savior because there is no other Savior. He knew no other Gospel because there was no other truth. For Paul Christ is everything, God’s grace is sufficient, and he could rest in the knowledge that God is in control.

Do we see these attitudes in ourselves? If not, sneak a peek here at Paul’s heart for God. Do not be just a follower, but a “doer.” Become a person who takes the humility, responsibility, confidence, and dependence taught by Jesus and copies those attitudes in everything we do. Paul did it. We can too.