Imitators of Christ

The apostle Paul was integral to the growth of the early church. Paul traveled throughout Asia Minor to share the good news of Jesus with all he met. When he was received well he would often stay for extended periods of time to begin a new local congregation. Paul used the time to instill the basic message of the Gospel and train local leaders to lead the congregation. Once Paul felt the local church and leaders were ready he would head to the next town and start over. Paul used letters to correspond with the churches he established as a way of continuing relationships and offer guidance on specific issues and problems the church faced.

While Paul certainly was held in high esteem as leader of the church, he did not see himself as superior or above the leaders he helped train. Most often, Paul used the language of partnership to describe his ongoing relationship with church leaders. In his first letter to the Thessalonians Paul specifically gives thanks and praise for the faith and leadership of the church leaders. Paul also shared how he had been praying for the leaders of the church and giving thanks for their many gifts. This is a spiritual friendship of mutual respect but also one characterized through mentoring. Paul is mentor to the leaders of the church while also showing deep respect and gratitude for them.

Paul was a mentor to the burgeoning church leaders through imitation. As he tells the Thessalonians:

And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for in spite of persecution you received the word with joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

Paul, who is imitating the example from Christ, asks the church to imitate him to learn how to be faithful. This is not Paul displaying arrogance or trying to imply that he is the only example to follow. Paul’s method of mentoring is behavioral and implies that we learn how to be faithful to Christ by learning from others and imitating their example. It is in relationship with those who have already developed a deep relationship with God that we can learn to be faithful. Put another way, we all need spiritual mentors in our life. We need faithful saints who have been through much in life and who have wisdom and love to share.

If you are in the beginning of your journey it is time to seek out an experienced and respected person of faith. Take time to learn from them how God has worked in their lives. Take notice how they make regular time from prayer and scripture. Observe how they respond to stressful and difficult situations. See how they use their gifts to serve others, how they give generously of their time, talent, and treasure. Very often God will place these faith giants in our life for our benefit. We need to humble ourselves and seek their guidance and counsel.

On the other hand, if you are a person who has a strong faith and developed a deep relationship with Christ, consider whether God might be calling you to mentor a person at the beginning of their faith journey. You have much to offer and those new to the faith need to learn how to be disciples. You don’t need a advanced theological degree or a position on a church staff, simply a strong faith and love for others. In the end we are all seeking to follow the crucified and risen Christ, and in this journey of faith we are meant to travel together.

Praying for One Another

Spiritual friendships are absolutely critical to our faith development. There are so many challenges and setbacks in life that we simply cannot walk alone. When we enter into intentional spiritual friendships which center on supporting and encouraging one another, we can endure hardship and overcome obstacles in ways we could not on our own. Alone we are easy prey for the evil one, but when we stand together in faith we can be strong for each other and experience a deep connectedness to one another and to the Lord. We are designed to be in relationship with God and each other, and when relationships of trust, encouragement, and accountability thrive we deepen our faith in profound ways.

Jesus understood the need for relationships for his ministry and for the church. As he prepared to go to the cross he took time in prayer to lift up concerns for the disciples and their future.

I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. John 17:9-11

When Jesus discusses his earthly ministry he centers his work on the relationship he has with God and with the disciples. Jesus says he is “glorified in them” which implies that the work of Jesus (his life, death, and resurrection) is fundamentally connected to the relationships he has. Jesus could not be our Lord and Savior without God and without his disciples; we find our meaning and purpose in relationships.

Additionally, Jesus’ prayer expresses his deep and abiding concern for the disciples. He asks God to protect them and to help them continue in relationship with each other. As Jesus prepares to go to the cross he knows how tempting it will be for the disciples to go their own ways and not maintain their unity. Jesus’ prayer is that the relationships he helped establish between the disciples be maintained and strengthened. He knows that together they will be able to carry on Jesus’ ministry and start the church. On their own they will be easily dismissed, distracted, and dismayed.

Jesus’ prayer tells us that we are not meant to be alone. We must seek relationships with others for mutual support and encouragement. We must give and receive the prayers of others in order to fulfill God’s call on our lives. We cannot do it on our own but with God and the prayers of others all things are possible.