Imitate
The other day, Robin showed me this adorable video. It was a little girl, probably around 3yrs who was imitating Princess Elsa from the Disney movie Frozen. It snowed here in Oklahoma City, and this little girl dressed up in her princess outfit and was acting out a scene of the Frozen moving in her backyard in the snow. This girl had all the moves memorized and was imitating Elsa. It was so cute; of course, every mom on Facebook melted, and maybe a few days.
This little girl could imitate Elsa because she had memorized the scene and parts of the movie. She could see it so clear in her mind, and in the cold and show she could glide across the snow like she was Elsa. How about you? Who can you imitate, or maybe who do you imitate? We might not like to admit imitating anyone, and we might find ourselves independent and want to pave our way. I would argue that no matter how independent one is, this world we live in is very impressionable, and is influencing every one of us in some way.
Today in 1 Corinthians 4, Paul confronts his critics. It’s a compelling and testy read. Again, Paul finds himself calling out pride, ego, and worldliness and be aware of what his critic's lives look like and what Paul and other apostle's lives are. You need to read the whole chapter, but check this out:
“Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have begun to reign—and that without us! How I wish that you had begun to reign so that we also might reign with you!” -1 Corinthians 4:8 NIV
Just before this verse, Paul is hammering them for pride and living a puffed up and fake life. At first glance, you read this and think Paul is condemning money, and living a wealthy life. But that is not the context Paul is bringing, remember Phoebe at the close of Romans? Phoebe was mega-rich, and a benefactor to Paul and others, Paul has no issues with wealth - Paul was drilling into motives and the heart with these people, not wealth and riches. These Corinthians were into show, looks, and all things surface. Paul drew the distinct difference in their lives next;
“For it seems to me that God has put us, apostles, on display at the end of the procession, like those condemned to die in the arena. We have been made a spectacle to the whole universe, to angels as well as to human beings. We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! You are honored, we are dishonored! To this very hour we go hungry and thirsty, we are in rags, we are brutally treated, we are homeless. We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. We have become the scum of the earth, the garbage of the world—right up to this moment.” - 1 Corinthians 4:9-13 NIV
We are fools for Christ, but you are so wise in Christ! Wow! Don’t read this verse and miss the meaning and context. Paul is saying he and other apostles do not care what others think, and are willing to look foolish for Christ, to say the hard things that people may not appreciate, to act the way that stands out in the culture to honor Christ and look a fool. But the Corinthians look so wise, they look the part and blend right into the jacked-up and broken lifestyle. Paul, imitating Christ didn't care how he looked; he was willing to become the garbage of the world if that was necessary to follow Jesus.
Paul's motives here are pure, and his heart is in the right spot.
“I am writing this not to shame you but to warn you as my dear children.” - 1 Corinthians 4:14 NIV
Paul was bringing clarity in the contrast of their lives, not to shame them but to challenge them. Not to belittle them, but to encourage them. And finally, Paul says this:
“Therefore, I urge you to imitate me.” -1 Corinthians 4:16 NIV
Imitate me! Do not look to the world for guidance; look at my life. Follow my footsteps and do as I do. Imitate me!
Few things to leave you with that I am processing. Is the life you are living worthy of imitation? If your children or coworkers or whoever models their lives after yours, would that be God-honoring? And finally, who are you looking at and imitating regularly? Is that honoring and glorifying God?