Imitating Christ
4/4 Reading Portions: Leviticus 7; Psalm 7-8; Proverbs 22; 1 Thessalonians 1
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
4/4 Reading Portions: Leviticus 7; Psalm 7-8; Proverbs 22; 1 Thessalonians 1
1 Thessalonians 1:6
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord,
for you received the word in much affliction,
with the joy of the Holy Spirit,
BECAME
When we read through the epistles, we find that there is an incredible union and communion among local churches, especially amid tribulation and persecution. The thread of this truth runs through many of the New Testament letters because they are the answer to the Lord’s high priestly prayer when Jesus requested,
“…that they may all be one, just as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You have sent Me.” John 17:21
This truth is so powerfully evident in the Scriptures that many American churches today have attempted to latch on to this unity and fellowship, albeit via compromise to the gospel and by corruption of the Word of God. Because unity and fellowship have become obsessively significant to the leaders of these assemblies, they have erected an idol of commonality and community in their hearts, one which is equal to or greater than the gospel of Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. Their compromise of truth for unity’s sake has made them no different than the Rotarians, Shriners, Lion’s Club, or Order of Elks— doing good works for their fellow man through “random acts of kindness” in Jesus’ name yet making the gospel of Christ secondary. Christ’s gospel is never a means to an end, but rather the end itself, and the goal of all exaltation. God’s grace is transformational. It doesn’t merely transform our lives for the benefit of mankind— man’s benefit is secondary because it is an effect of Christ’s gospel. Gospel grace transforms us. The means by which it does so is through redeemed men saved by God’s grace and called to preach, living by the faith they proclaim because they imitate Christ. Those saved by grace through their preaching and teaching are likewise transformed, imitating Christ by imitating men who also imitate Christ. Hallelujah! What a Savior!
Since Christ ascended, He did send
Examples who do preach
The gospel through call’d, holy men
Who live the faith they teach.