Good Imitation
Read the Text: 3 John
Memorize the Text:
Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
(2 John 3, CSB)
Consider the Text: 3 John 11
An imitation is something that mirrors the original. When we think of imitation, we often associate the concept of an off-brand that replaces the original item. An imitation reflects the original and attempts to carry out the same task as the original. A good imitation means that little or no difference between the authentic and the reproduction can be discovered. The apostle John charged believers to imitate authentic believers and not the world's ways. Thus, today we must seek to imitate strong believers to become a strong believers to be imitated.
DISCOVER AUTHENTIC BELIEVERS
One of the most overlooked features of discipleship is the activity of mentorship. Many believers never participate in a healthy spiritual mentorship where mature, authentic believers invest in their life. As a result, the believer misses many moments of encouragement from engaging one who has walked with Christ faithfully. The apostle John knew that a mentor was a significant influencer in one’s spiritual journey and commended such activity.
If you desire to set a mentor in your life, you need to seek someone spiritually mature. This does not mean the individual is mature in age but in their faith. Look for someone who walks with the Lord and lives a life that reflects the love of Christ. As you approach the individual, ask them to invest in your life from their experiences and spiritual disciplines and serve as someone for accountability. So discovering these individuals is the first step in imitating others.
IMITATE AUTHENTIC BELIEVERS
What you imitate influences your life. The apostle noted that believers must imitate genuine believers, not the world's influencers. We live in a culture of social influencers that use the platform of social media to impact those around them. These influencers attempt to change the mentality of people in the world and work to promote a personal agenda. The apostle John warned against imitating such influencers because it would cause identification with the world and not with Christ. Thus, the apostle charged believers to imitate strong believers to reflect Christ.
What influence shapes your view of the world, the Word, and how life should be lived? Do you seek mature believers to participate in shaping your life and live surrendered to the truth of God’s Word, or do you seek to live in a politically correct mindset? When we seek to imitate authentic believers, we desire to reflect our heavenly citizenship, not our temporary earthly dwelling. Thus, we need to strive to imitate authentic believers.
BE AN AUTHENTIC BELIEVER TO BE IMITATED
Believers should desire to reproduce other believers. This occurs through the practice of evangelism and participation in disciple-making. The follower of Christ must seek to mature in the faith and seek out someone to mentor and encourage in their spiritual walk. When a believer seeks to mentor others, they set a course to continue to grow in their walk with the Lord because growth must never end.
Are you seeking to grow in the faith and become engaged in mentoring others? If you seek to mentor others, do you desire to grow deeper? When you become focused on influencing others for Christ, you set a course of being a disciple who becomes a disciple-maker, and as a result, you fulfill the calling of the Lord. Are you practicing good imitation? Are you imitating strong believers and serving as one to be imitated?
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
