Day 16 Imitate Christ

 

1/16/2026

"Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ."

1 Corinthians 11:1

 

There will always be someone who tells you there's a better way, or a new way, but there's only Christ's way. As the days grow shorter and shorter, nearer and nearer, there are so many tell tale signs of the imminent return of Jesus. That certainty of scriptural truth makes many people anxious, afraid, and others feel it is not going to happen anytime soon, so why be concerned. Others think everything is hype and lies, because that's what the enemy wants us to believe. That philosophy dates all the way back to the Garden of Eden when the "snake" told Eve that God didn't really mean they would die, and yet people die every day. The length of a person's life was rather long back in early Biblical days as scripture reports that  Methuselah lived to be 969 years, Noah 950 years, and Adam, 930 years. My oldest living client was 106, but there was one 116 years of age. The health of my client was good physically with the exception of poor vision and hearing. But these examples are extremely rare, but then a deeper study may prove that more such exceptions exist.  We all dream of a long, good life, I imagine. As for me I dream of a life well lived, and I definitely want to accomplish the purpose God put me here on earth to do. Aside from the purpose we all have which is to bring Him glory, honor, and praise.

Jesus warned us in scripture, as did Peter and Paul, that men would have itching ears desiring to hear and believe only what they feel is really truth. Jesus warned that in the last days many would come in His Name claiming to be Christ. We certainly saw this when Charles Manson made the statement that he was Christ and Satan, or perhaps he merely inferred it; nevertheless, there have been others like Jim Jones who led many gullible people to the slaughter. False shepherds, according to the prophet Jeremiah, who care more about building their egos than feeding and tending the flock, are leading many to go astray, as sheep without a caring shepherd will do. 

Each day brings an interesting change. The scripture says that the gift of speaking in tongues is given by Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul speaks of this gift that he himself was given. We know that on the day of Pentecost 50 days after Jesus ascended to Heaven, that all in the upper room were filled with the Spirit and spoke in tongues. After that many believed, because they heard the gospel preached in their own language. Everything God does is done decently and in order, because He is not a God of confusion. Recently someone sent me a video of a sermon, and when it came on there was a woman speaking unintelligible  words to a group of people, which they would then repeat. This process was repeated over and over. That was when I texted my friend to ask if this woman was teaching others to speak in tongues, and she said "yes, and it's perfectly normal." I did not respond, as the Bible does not teach this technique. In fact there is not a technique. It is a gift given by Holy Spirit. This doesn't surprise me, really, because over the years I have noticed many troubling ways of teaching that do not follow a Biblical order. I have learned to stick to the book, which as many may recall, is what Billy Graham adamantly recommended.

When Paul wrote to the church in Corinth it was in response to a message he had received about divisions in the church. It seems that members were squabbling over whose baptism was better, or so it sounds. One would say "I am of Paul," another "I am of Apollos," or "I am of Cephas," or "I am of Christ."  Paul's response was very clear: "Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" (1 Corinthians 1:12-13). This isn't the first time that Paul would have to settle disputes in the churches, and all through the ages there's always someone introducing a new idea or another step into the already complete gospel of Jesus Christ. Romans 10:13 makes things very simple when it comes to the truth about the Gospel: "For whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved." I think that Paul put it quite nicely in 1 Corinthians 2:2, and I am of the same opinion: "For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified."

One thing the Lord has spoken directly to my heart over and over in recent days, and actually years ago, and that is to keep my eyes on Him, only Him. We are told in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Colossians 3:16-17 adds: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

Much confusion has crept into the church especially regarding Israel and God's end time plans. He has never abandoned His chosen people, and He never would. But, as I have reminded many times, we who believe in the message of Jesus Christ and have accepted God's precious gift of salvation through Jesus, His Son, are now Abraham's children also. We have been grafted into the family and God is making us One New Man. We are to stand with Israel and pray for her, but many are confused about this important fact. I will speak of this another time.

Paul tells us to imitate Christ, be clothed in Him, because there's a world of people who do not know Him yet as Savior and Lord, and we are to be His workmanship. Follow His example, and complete His mandate to go into all the world and make disciples. To do that we have to know what the scriptures teach us, how Jesus taught us.

How do we respond to others? Paul puts it nicely in Colossians 4:2-6:

"Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one."

In order to do this, we must know the Word of God and the teachings of Christ. We must have a daily time along with Christ, sitting at His feet, reading and studying His word, and learning to truly know Him by spending quality time listening for His voice. This is the abundant life that gives peace that transcends all understanding.