IMPACT OF IMITATING CHRIST

“Therefore be IMITATORS of GOD as dear children” – Ephesians 5:1

The Imitation of Christ, another Christian Classic, depicts the IMPACT of IMITATING CHRIST: “Therefore be IMITATORS of GOD as dear children”. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma” (Eph.5:1-2). The concept of imitating Christ, as explored in Thomas à Kempis's The Imitation of Christ, emphasizes transforming one's life to reflect Christ's Character of humility, love, and selflessness. Ephesians 5 also highlights this call to discipleship, urging believers to walk as Christ walked, mirroring His holiness and love. This imitation is not merely admiration but a conscious effort to embody Christ's virtues, leading to spiritual growth and a closer walk with God. 

The Imitation of Christ is a devotional text and guide to spiritual discipline and devotion. It offers guidance on following Jesus and cultivating a closer relationship with him. It emphasizes developing inner spirituality and devotion to Christ, stressing the importance of self-denial, humility, and obedience to God's will as key aspects of imitating Christ. Paul modelled his life after Christ’s example, and could therefore urge Believers to follow his lead as he followed Christ (1Cor.11:1). True discipleship involves actively following the example of those who are following Christ, leading others to do the same. 

The concept of Imitating Christ is central to Christian discipleship, and involves aligning our lives with His example in character and action, focusing on virtues like love, humility, holiness, and obedience. Likewise, Thomas a Kempis in The Imitation of Christ, emphasizes the worth of imitating Christ's life and teachings as a path to spiritual growth and a virtuous life, encouraging readers to focus on eternal values, aligned with Christ's principles, rather than pursuing worldly passions. By encouraging imitation, Believers are called to a life of radical discipleship; actively learning from and emulating Christ’s life and teachings.

The “Imitation of Christ” as a broader concept, encourages us as believers to live out our faith by striving to emulate and reflect Christ's character in our attitudes and actions. Imitating Christ is not a passive act of admiration but an active process of shaping one's life to reflect Christ's character and teachings, leading to spiritual growth and a more virtuous life. Simply knowing about Christ – having intellectual understanding – is not enough; believers are called to actively put His teachings into practice and strive to live like Him. We are called to live a Life Worth Imitating, reflecting God’s Attributes in our lives!

By imitating Christ, we become ambassadors of His Kingdom, reflecting His light to the world and bringing glory to God: “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” (v.8). As the Holy Spirit transforms and enables us to live in Christ’s likeness, we become examples for others, guiding them towards a deeper relationship with God.