The Apostle Paul said, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Cor 11:1) The same text has been translated, “Follow me, just as I follow Christ.” In his instruction to the church at Corinth Paul acknowledged Jesus as the supreme example of holy living, the One who all Believers should imitate. Secondarily, Paul’s instruction introduced himself as a reasonable facsimile, an immediate and convenient reference. When Paul said “… just as I also imitate” he acknowledged that he himself was a follower of Jesus and that others should follow Paul’s example as he followed Christ. That is, follow Paul when he is imitating Jesus well. Don’t follow Paul when he’s not, which is apparently never. Paul validated the role model concept and ascribed validity and acceptability to the practice of imitation toward perfection. All that to say I believe in looking to those who I perceive as being ahead of me in following Jesus. I don’t fancy worshiping successful believers, but I do believe in honoring them and learning what I can from them.
It is my belief that when you honor the life of Christ in another, a spiritual connection exists between you and them. At the very least a sense of brotherhood, or sisterhood exists as all Believers are one in Spirit and one in body. Consequently, experiences, blessings, wisdom, gifts, and a million other things may then pass freely between you. I’m referring to living people making a Christian connection through relationship. Interestingly, I think a similar, less robust phenomenon takes place when we honor others who have passed before us. Like reading about King David in 1 and 2 Samuel. Some small fragment of this incredibly brave, faithful (other than Bathsheba), character rubs off on us just because we’ve met him through the written word. Conversely, if we don’t see Jesus in another person, or we don’t honor His presence in them, an avenue of blessing ceases to exist. Whatever good could have come to us from that person, or from us to that person… won’t.
John Wimber introduced my wife, Nancy, and I to Leonard Ravenhill as he ministered at Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Anaheim back in the late 80’s. I could talk about Leonard for quite a while, but I won’t do it here. After listening to some of Leonard’s recorded messages and reading a couple books that he’d written, I noticed one of his seemingly favorite practices; Leonard would regularly mention the men and women who had impacted his life and, usually, he’d reference a book that they’d written, or a sermon. Each time he did this I’d think, “I should read that book,” or “I should study that guy.” Gradually, it became my practice to listen carefully to every successful Believer to make note of which writers, books or events had impacted them, so I could locate and research materials about them. The practice impacted my walk with Jesus and changed my life.
Recently I listened to a prerecorded interview with Lou Engles. During the interview Lou referenced three books that he said changed his life. I bought all three.
Learn from learners ~