Imitate me as I imitate Christ?
When Paul says, "Imitate me as I imitate Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1), he is not primarily referring to external habits but to the mind of Christ—the inner disposition of total dependence on the Father, humility, and surrender to God’s will, as seen in Philippians 2:5-8.
1. The Mind of Christ: A Life of Yieldedness
In Philippians 2:5-8, Paul urges believers to have the same mindset as Christ:
Humility: Christ, though fully God, emptied Himself and took the form of a servant.
Dependence: He did nothing apart from the Father’s will (John 5:19).
Obedience: He submitted even to the point of death.
Paul lived by this same exchanged life principle, recognizing that his strength, wisdom, and sufficiency came not from self-effort but from Christ living through him (Galatians 2:20). When he calls believers to imitate him, he is urging them to adopt this same posture of faith, trust, and surrender—the mind of Christ.
2. Not Just External Habits
While Paul certainly had spiritual disciplines—prayer, preaching, fasting, working with his hands—he never presented habit imitation as the key to Christian living. In fact, mimicking behaviors without the life of Christ within is just fleshly striving.
Instead, Paul’s focus was always on who was doing the living. The habits of his life were merely an outflow of the inner reality of Christ in him. When believers tried to live by external religious effort, Paul called it a return to the flesh (Galatians 3:3).
3. The Call to Walk by the Spirit, Not Mimicry
Paul’s exhortation to "imitate" him is not a behavioral checklist but an invitation to walk by the same Spirit-led life that animated him. He constantly pointed to Christ as the true source of life, encouraging believers to yield to the Spirit rather than attempt to manufacture righteousness.
Thus, to imitate Paul as he imitates Christ means to adopt the mindset of Christ—a life of yielded dependence on the Spirit, rather than a mere replication of outward actions.
For a deeper dive, let’s explore specific ways Paul demonstrated the mind of Christ in his letters.
Paul consistently demonstrated the mind of Christ in his letters, not just in what he did, but in how he thought, responded, and lived in complete reliance on Christ. Below are several key aspects of the mind of Christ that Paul modeled:
1. Humility: Considering Others Above Self
"Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves." — Philippians 2:3
Paul displayed Christ-like humility by:
Refusing to boast in his own strength: "By the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:10)
Seeing himself as a servant: "For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them." (1 Corinthians 9:19)
Enduring hardship for the sake of others: "I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 2:10)
Paul’s humility wasn’t just an outward posture—it was a deeply rooted reality because he no longer saw himself as the source of his own life. Like Christ, he willingly laid aside his own rights and preferences for the benefit of others.
2. Total Dependence on the Father
"The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do." — John 5:19
Paul “imitated” this complete reliance on God:
"Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God." (2 Corinthians 3:5)
"I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." (Galatians 2:20)
Paul never viewed his strength, wisdom, or endurance as his own—he saw everything as coming from Christ. This dependence on God’s grace is at the core of having the mind of Christ.
3. Obedience Through Yielding, Not Striving
"He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." — Philippians 2:8
Paul walked in Spirit-led obedience by:
Yielding to Christ’s direction: "I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me." (Romans 15:18)
Surrendering his will to God: "I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus." (Acts 20:24)
Resting in God’s work within him: "It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure."(Philippians 2:13)
Paul’s obedience wasn’t self-driven but Spirit-led. He didn’t view obedience as self-improvement but as yielding to Christ’s indwelling life.
4. Joy and Contentment in All Circumstances
"For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross." — Hebrews 12:2
Paul shared this Christ-centered joy, even in suffering:
"I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." (Philippians 4:11)
"I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
"I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake." (Colossians 1:24)
Paul didn’t chase joy through external changes in circumstances—he had inner joy because his life was hidden in Christ.
5. A Heart Focused on Eternal Reality, Not Earthly Things
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." — Colossians 3:2
Paul imitated Christ by:
Seeing his life as already united with Christ in heaven: "Your life is hidden with Christ in God." (Colossians 3:3)
Considering worldly loss as gain: "I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord." (Philippians 3:8)
Looking forward to the eternal reward: "I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14)
This eternal perspective allowed Paul to live free from worldly attachments, just as Christ did.
6. Walking by the Spirit, Not the Flesh
"The Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you." — Romans 8:11
Paul never taught self-improvement but Spirit-led transformation:
Not improving the flesh: "The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace."(Romans 8:6)
Resting in Christ’s sufficiency: "As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him." (Colossians 2:6)
Rejecting legalism: "Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?"(Galatians 3:3)
Paul imitated Christ by abiding in the Spirit’s leading, not striving in the flesh.
Final Thoughts: Imitating Paul Means Living by Christ’s Life
Paul’s call to "imitate me as I imitate Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1) is not about copying his habits but about living from the same source—Christ Himself.
To truly "imitate Paul," we must:
✔ Put off self-effort and the attempt to modify the flesh.
✔ Put on Christ as our functional source of living.
✔ Yield to the Spirit rather than strive for self-improvement.
✔ Trust Christ to express His life through us moment by moment.
When Paul says "imitate me," he is saying: Live as I live—by faith in Christ as my very life.
Discussion & Reflection
💬 How does understanding Paul’s call to "imitate me" change how you approach your Christian walk? Share your thoughts below!
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