Is Imitating Christ the Goal—or Is There Something Greater?
I no longer follow from behind—I’ve been placed in Christ, and His life now walks through me.
For many believers, the idea of imitating Christ seems noble—read the Gospels, observe Jesus, and try to copy Him. After all, didn’t Paul say, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1)? Shouldn’t we strive to walk as Jesus walked, love as He loved, speak as He spoke?
But here’s the question that pierces deeper: **Can we truly imitate Jesus by self-effort, even if we’re asking God to help us? Or were we given something far greater than imitation—**union with Christ Himself?
The exchanged life—the Christ-centered, Spirit-empowered life—doesn’t call us to imitate Jesus like actors studying a role. It calls us to participate in Him. It doesn’t merely ask, “What would Jesus do?” It reveals that Jesus lives in you, and you in Him. The source has changed.
Paul’s declaration in Galatians 2:20 doesn’t sound like imitation: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” This is union, not mimicry. This is resurrection life, not performance.
Self-discipline—even with God’s “help”—still keeps you at the center. You’re trying harder to be like Him. But New Covenant grace doesn’t empower your flesh to behave better. It crucifies the flesh and releases the indwelling Christ.
Trying to imitate Jesus without first recognizing your co-crucifixion with Him bypasses the Cross and reinforces striving. The Gospel doesn’t say, “Copy Jesus.” It says, “Die with Him. Be raised with Him. Let Him live His life through you.”
When Paul urges us to “follow” Christ, it’s within the context of Christ being our life source—not our example alone. Romans 8:4 reminds us that the righteous requirements of the law are fulfilled in us, not by us, as we walk according to the Spirit. We don’t perform righteousness—we express it by yielding to the Righteous One within.
So the invitation isn’t: “Try harder to be like Jesus.”
It’s: “Let Jesus live His life through you.”
Journal Entry — In the Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
You were not called to copy Christ—you were called to die with Him and rise with Him. The life of imitation without union is powerless. You were not left to study His footsteps and try your best to walk in them. I joined you to Him so that His footsteps would become yours from within.
I live in you. This is not a partnership of effort. It is a union of life. The same Jesus who walked the shores of Galilee, who loved sinners and obeyed the Father perfectly, now lives His life in you. You do not need to ask for help—you already have His very life.
Put away the burden of imitation. Let Me lead you moment by moment. My Spirit in you is your power to obey, to love, to forgive, to endure. I do not improve your old life—I replaced it. You are no longer your own. You are Mine. Let Me live through you today.
Christ is your life. Walk in Him.
Scriptures Woven In: Galatians 2:20, Romans 6:4-6, Romans 8:4, Colossians 1:27, Colossians 2:6-7, 2 Corinthians 13:5, John 15:4-5, Philippians 2:13
Prayer
Father, thank You that You have not called me to perform Christlike behavior but to participate in Christ’s very life. I praise You that I don’t need to strain or strive to be like Jesus—You’ve placed Jesus within me. I rest in Your full provision. I trust the indwelling Spirit to express Christ through me today, not by imitation, but by union. I no longer live—but Christ lives in me. And that changes everything.
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