“Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained. Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.”
Philippians 3:15-17 (ESV).
Olivia, our four-year-old, loves to play dress-up. From princesses to doctors and everything in between, she’s almost always pretending to be someone other than herself.
Recently, I left my hat and sunglasses on the dining room table, and it gave her the perfect opportunity to dress up like Daddy. “I’m Daddy!” she announced, walking through the house with a giggle. Then she started repeating a few of the phrases I say all the time—before running off to play.
It was funny, but it also made me think. Without trying, without being told, she’s watching me. She’s listening to me. And she’s becoming like me in small ways.
They say imitation is the highest form of flattery. In the Christian life, we call the process of learning to imitate Christ discipleship. For mature believers, discipleship includes a lot of time in the Word, prayer, obedience, repentance, and service. But for new believers, much of discipleship is caught rather than taught. They learn by watching. They grow by observing. They imitate those of us who have been walking with Jesus for a while.
Recognizing our actions can weigh heavily on us, right? It’s important to understand that how we follow Christ influences not just our lives but also shapes the people observing us. Our habits, our attitudes, our priorities, our words… they are all being observed by someone.
The Bible actually encourages these kinds of relationships. In Philippians chapter 3, the apostle Paul tells the believers to follow his example and to pay attention to those who walk according to it. In other words, watch the seasoned disciples and follow their lead. Learn from them. Do what they do. That’s both encouraging and convicting. Encouraging, because none of us are meant to figure this out alone. God has given us people to follow, examples to learn from. But it’s also convicting, because it forces us to ask some honest questions.
If a new Christian imitated my life, would they be growing in their faith? If they copied my prayer life, would they learn to depend on God? If they followed my priorities, would they look more like Jesus—or more like the world?
Maybe the real question is this: Am I living my faith in a way that others should imitate?
Whether we realize it or not, someone is watching. And like a four-year-old in a pair of oversized sunglasses, they just might be becoming more like us than we think.
Jonathan Prater – CBC Ex. Board
