Imitation

Bill Morgan writes - "On a wall near the main entrance to the Alamo in San Antonio, Texas, is a portrait with the following inscription: 'James Butler Bonham--no picture of him exists. This portrait is of his nephew, Major James Bonham, deceased, who greatly resembled his uncle. It is placed here by the family that people may know the appearance of the man who died for freedom.' No literal portrait of Jesus exists either. But the likeness of the Son who makes us free can be seen in the lives of His true followers."

How is the world going to know who Christ? The Bible paints the true portrait. It tells us who He is and what He has done and where He now resides. The apostle John wrote near the end of his gospel - "And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book;but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:30-31).

Beyond the Bible, Christians have the responsibility of bearing His image as well. To be like Christ, to look like Christ in everything we do, is the highest and most noble goal of Christianity. Eph. 5:1-2 says, "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." Paul also wrote, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1).

The greatest of challenges lies before God's people. The very idea that we could be anything like the Son of God is humbling. Sometimes it seems like such an unachievable goal. But nothing is impossible with God's help. Throughout the New Testament, verse after verse commands that those who are children of God must be disciples of Christ. Peter wrote, "For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps" (1 Pet. 2:21).

Jesus is our example. He is our Lord. He is the one who we should walk like, talk like, and act like in everything we do. How is the world ever going to know Jesus? He is not here in the flesh anymore. There are no pictures of Him. But He has relatives that are supposed to look just like Him. He has given us the key to bearing His image.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." ~ John 13:34-35