4 Minute Read + Scripture readings

Today’s Bible Reading:

1 Samuel 31
1 Corinthians 11
Ezekiel 9
Psalms 48

Today’s Bible Verse(s):

1 Corinthians 11:1 (CSB): “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.”

Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):

Kim and I went to Joseph’s first cross country race today. It was held at Lakeland, Florida’s SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus. Hundreds of runners lined up at the starting line, waited for the gun to fire, and then started running, racing toward the finish line 3.1 miles away.

Let me ask you a question. Suppose that you were told that you had to run in a 5K (3.1 mile) race in 6 months. You realize that you are not in shape so you need to find someone who can help you get fit and ready to run a 3 mile race. The question is, which one of the following two trainers would you select to help you?

  • Trainer 1: An elite runner who regularly competes in ultra marathons. They love running races that push them to their limits with distances of well over 23 miles at a time and sometimes as such as 100 miles. They really don’t see the point in running a race with only 3 miles between the starting line and the finish line.
  • Trainer 2: An experienced runner that has run marathons (23.2 miles) so they know their stuff. But they really like to run 5Ks (3.1 mile races). They realize that the 5K is where they got their start and they love helping people get started with their own running habit in that special race.

It think you would pick Trainer 2, wouldn’t you? While you admire Trainer 1, who can run races of up to 100 miles, they aren’t someone that you can relate to. They are too advanced. Trainer 2 is far enough advanced but not so far that you couldn’t relate to them.

Friend, this is the essence of what 1 Corinthians 11:1 is all about.

1 Corinthians 11:1 (CSB): “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.”

Ultimately, we are called to become like Jesus. But, in His infinite perfection, He is like Trainer 2. When we consider Jesus’ perfection and then look at our own faults and failures and frailty, we may lose heart. So, the Apostle Paul steps in to say: “Hey, I’m a fellow struggler like you. I’m far from perfection but I’m a little farther down the road than you so follow me as we both strive to become like Jesus.”

Yes, we are to ultimately strive for Christlikeness. But, it becomes manageable when we find someone a little farther down the road than us and learn from them as they follow Christ.

1 Corinthians 11:1 (CSB): “Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.”

* * * * * * * * * *

Lord Jesus, thank You for the example that You left for us in the Gospels. I get to observe how God (with skin on) acted and interacted while here on planet earth. Yet, I also thank You for giving me the examples of imperfect men and women all over the pages of Scriptures that I can learn from. And thank you for the godly men and women that are all around me that also provide a godly example for me to imitate. Essentially, there is no reason at all for me to not make gains in my pursuit of holiness, especially given the fact that Your Holy Spirit is within me to help me all along the way. Thank You for Your gracious provision. Amen.

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