I often grimace when I think about my first years in ministry. One of my many problems was the tendency to imitate other pastors instead of being myself. I remember spending so much time trying to imitate pastors I admired. Like many pastors, I went through my Rick Warren stage (Hawaiian shirts from Don Ho’s house of regurgitated flowers), a Bill Hybels stage (business casual, dramas, and slick PowerPoints), and even my hipster Steven Furtick stage (minus the $1,000 sneakers). I was so busy trying to be someone else that I failed to imitate the only perfect example: Jesus Christ. It was only after I learned to be the best me, and not the worst imitation of others, that I started to do effective ministry. That brings up a question: who are you imitating? Are you trying to imitate Christ, or are you instead trying to imitate fallen man?
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Ephesians 5:1-6
Who are you imitating? Is it Jesus, or is it your fellow fallen man? If you’ve been reading me for awhile, I’m guessing you’ve learned I can be rather blunt. I want to be blunt again today. I see way too many men imitating other men and not Christ Jesus. Now look, I don’t care how you dress, how you spend your spare time, or even what sports teams you root for (well, excepting the Dallas Cowboys, but I digress). If you want imitate someone else’s style, have at it. What concerns me (and considered the Apostle Paul) is when we start imitating the values, behaviors, and morals of others instead of Christ. I can’t tell you how many times over the past few years I’ve had Christian men quote the words and behaviors of other human beings as their reason for pursuing unbiblical behavior. This seems particular endemic with sexual righteousness. I’ve heard sexual impurity downplayed more by fellow Christians lately than ever before, often pointing to the behavior of others. Here’s what often happens. We see someone else enjoying fame and success and our jealous of that success. We want to have that same experience, even if its not exactly according to God’s Word. The result is we start imitating man, not Christ. Take another look at the Scripture. Take the time to reflect on the importance of imitating the Creator, Lord, and Savior of the universe and not fallen man. Who are you imitating? May it forever be our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
