Imitate Christ or Trust Christ in You?
I’m not imitating a distant Christ—I’m walking in the light of the One who lives in me.
A Grace-Oriented Conversation on Discipleship, Effort, and Union
“Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 11:1
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” – Galatians 2:20
A Conversation Between Two Disciples
James:
I don’t really understand why you don’t talk more about imitating Jesus. Isn’t that what it means to be a disciple? We look at how He lived, and then we try to walk like He did.
Me:
I used to think the same way. I’d read the Gospels and try to be like Him—kind, bold, loving, humble, prayerful. But trying to imitate Him through self-discipline always left me tired and discouraged. What changed me was Galatians 2:20. It doesn’t say “try to live like Jesus”—it says, “I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” That shifted everything. The call isn’t imitation by self-effort—it’s participation through union.
James's Case for Imitation
“Well, I think you’re missing something important,” James replies. “Scripture is full of active commands. Paul tells us to be imitators of God (Eph. 5:1), to walk in love, just as Christ also loved us (Eph. 5:2). Peter says Christ left us an example, that we should follow in His steps (1 Pet. 2:21). Jesus Himself said, 'Follow Me' (Luke 9:23).”
James continues, “Look at the New Testament—it’s loaded with action words:
Run the race (Heb. 12:1)
Press on toward the goal (Phil. 3:14)
Discipline your body (1 Cor. 9:27)
Put to death what is earthly in you (Col. 3:5)
Work out your salvation with fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12)
Doesn’t all of this show that we’re meant to take imitation seriously? It’s not about earning salvation—it’s about responding to grace with Spirit-enabled effort.”
My Response from the Exchanged Life Perspective
"Yes, I agree with every single verse," I say with a understanding smile. “But I see them differently now. I don’t think those commands are instructions for the flesh to try harder—they’re invitations for the believer to yield to the Spirit who already lives in us. Philippians 2:13 completes the thought: 'For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His good purpose.'
When Paul says “be imitators of me, as I am of Christ,” he’s not suggesting we copy Christ’s behavior by our own strength. He’s saying, in essence, 'Watch how Christ lives through me—and follow that same dependence.'
Jesus didn’t call us to copy Him in our strength—He came to die for us, rise for us, and live in us. Romans 6:4 says we’ve been raised with Him to walk in newness of life. Romans 6:6 says our old man was crucified with Him. Galatians 2:20 says we’ve been crucified with Christ, and now He lives in us.
Imitation is the fruit—not the root—of union."
Where the Tension Lies
James leans back. “But what about the effort? Doesn’t grace produce obedience? Titus 2:12 says grace trains us to renounce ungodliness and live self-controlled, godly lives.”
“Yes,” I nod. “But grace doesn’t train us by making us stronger in the flesh—it trains us by showing us our new identity and empowering us to live from Christ’s life. We still make choices. We still obey. But we do it from a place of rest, not striving.
2 Peter 1:5 says, 'Make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue…' But it comes after verse 3: 'His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness, through our knowledge of Him who called us…' The effort is real—but the source is divine.
It’s not about asking God to help me do what He’s already promised to do through me. It's not about imitation through observation. It's about identification through death, burial, and resurrection."
A Grace-Oriented Appeal
I pause and look at James—not to argue, but to invite.
“Brother, what if the Christian life isn’t about trying harder to act like Jesus… but about trusting that Jesus is already alive in you? What if your role isn’t to imitate a distant example, but to yield to a present Lord who is your very life (Col. 3:4)? What if every command in Scripture is actually a promise that Christ in you is able to fulfill?”
He looks thoughtful.
I continue: “Obedience matters. Holiness matters. But it’s not your job to manufacture it. Your job is to abide in Him—because apart from Him, you can do nothing (John 15:5). But with Him, as your very source, you can walk in a way that actually is like Jesus—not because you're trying, but because He's living through you.”
Final Thought
Dear reader, you don’t need to imitate Christ to become like Him. You’ve already been made one with Him. Walk in the reality that the One who lived perfectly 2,000 years ago now lives in you today. Not imitation. Incarnation. Not striving. Union. Not help. Christ as life.
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