One of the best ways to grow is also one of the most overlooked: imitate others. Find someone who’s ahead of you, study their lives, and copy them.
Paul mentions this strategy repeatedly in his letters. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, he writes, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” He instructs the Philippians, “Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us” (Philippians 3:17). “What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you,” he writes (Philippians 4:9).
Paul commends Timothy, “You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings…” (2 Timothy 3:10-11). Paul didn’t just preach with his words; he preached with his life.
In 1 and 2 Thessalonians, among Paul’s earliest letters, he repeatedly underlines the importance of imitating his life and other churches. He praises God that they “became imitators of us and of the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 1:6). He praises them for imitating the churches in Judea in suffering for the gospel (1 Thessalonians 2:14). He calls them to imitate his hard work (2 Thessalonians 3:7), and indicates that he aimed to give them an example to imitate (2 Thessalonians 3:9). Likewise, the Thessalonians became examples to other churches (1 Thessalonians 1:7).
Imitation is a major theme in Paul’s letters, and yet I rarely hear it mentioned in sermons or books as a strategy for pursuing holiness.
I have a guess for why we downplay this biblical pattern: we feel inadequate. The older I get, the more I realize how much I don’t want people to imitate my life. I increasingly sense the distance between who I am and who God calls me to be. Most of us feel like our lives aren’t exemplary, and we feel awkward drawing attention to ourselves.
You may feel inadequate too.
This biblical, pattern, though, is too important to neglect, so I have two suggestions.
First, begin by imitating godly men and women. You don’t even have to tell them. Study their lives. Notice what you admire about them. How do their lives display evidence of the Spirit’s work? Ask them good questions. Take note of how they conduct themselves. Learn from their struggles and how they’ve overcome them. Learn how they’ve cultivated a love for Jesus. You can learn a lot just by watching and asking good questions, and saints like this are all around us.
Second, let people imitate you. This isn’t proud; it’s biblical. Let them learn from your struggles. Share your weaknesses and your growth. Let them get close enough to see how you are pursuing Christ. Tell others what God is teaching you, and what you’re learning from others.
God changes us through the power of the Spirit as a result of the gospel. But God uses means. One of those means is the power of godly examples. Use examples to fuel your growth, and then offer your imperfect example of pursuing Christ as an example for others to follow too.
