Modeling Christ for Others

     When I think of our Savior Jesus Christ, I consider that He not only came to offer Himself as a perfect sacrifice for our sins, but also that He came to live the perfect life we were incapable of living in the fallen world.  He modeled for us perfect keeping of God's Laws and total obedience to God the Father.  As He said in Matthew 5:17-19:  17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. 19 Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven."  Later in Chapter 5, Jesus says, "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."(vs. 48)  These words were spoken to His disciples so that they might know what was expected of them.
     However, Jesus knew that in our own strength and ability, we are incapable of walking as living examples of perfection; so when He ascended to the Father, He sent us the Holy Spirit who would abide with us and live in us.  He would be our helper that we might model Christ to the world.  After all, Jesus called us to be the salt and light of this world.  In our own strength we cannot do this.
     Paul, in his letter to the Corinthian Church, said in I Cor. 4:16:  "I urge you, then, be imitators of me."  Again in I Corinthians 11:1, he writes:  "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."  Then in his letter to the Philippians 3:17, Paul says again:  "Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us."  So why this emphasis on imitation?
     As believers, we are called upon to model Christ to the world and to those around us.  No matter where we are or what we do, we are to be living examples of our faith.  This is why Paul encouraged the believers in Corinth and Philippi to be imitators of him and other fellow disciples.
     Having just come home from a wonderful family vacation, I can give a very simple example of this concept.  Two of our children have three year olds.  They do a lot of modeling all day long by teaching their children how to be behave respectfully, what is appropriate behavior and what is not. They are rewarded for good behavior and lovingly disciplined for unacceptable actions.  In this way, they are learning what it means to function in relationship to others.  The same idea applies to our Christian walk.
     During my life, I have been blessed with many who have modeled Christ for me.  The earliest recollection I have of my Grandfather Engel, who died when I was six, was sitting on his lap as he read the Bible to me.  I saw him pray before he laid down for a nap.  These images have remained clearly fixed in my mind.  Then, my mother's encouragement to turn to the Psalms for help was another piece of the picture for me.
     Three months before my husband and I married, we committed our lives to Christ and were discipled by CRU (Campus Crusade for Christ) at regular Bible studies.  We needed examples to follow and those who could answer our questions.  This was an important key to our growth in Christ so that we could then become mature and lead others.
     Whom are you modeling Christ for in your life?  Your children, grandchildren, fellow believers, co-workers, neighbors?  How we live our lives day to day reflects the depth of our commitment to Christ that others can clearly see.  For certain, we do not carry a sign around our neck that says, "How's my Christian living today?  Call 1-800-tellGod."  Yet, we bear the responsibility of being ambassadors for Christ daily.  My prayer is that we may all take this role of modeling our Savior's obedience, love and discipleship to others seriously so that the Kingdom of God may advance and be glorified.  Selah!