In 1896, a man in Topeka Kansas named Charles Sheldon wrote a story titled In His Steps. It the fictional story of a preacher who challenged his congregation to pledge themselves for an entire year not to do anything without first asking the question, “What would Jesus do?” and then act accordingly, regardless of the consequences. The book is the story of those members who accepted the challenge and of the profound change it made in their lives. The book has sold more than 30,000,000 copies, has been translated into many languages, and ranks as one of the best-selling books of all time.
Though Sheldon’s story was written in
the context of its implications for social and moral reform, the idea of
imitating the life of Christ is a simple yet profound idea whose application
and impact can be far-reaching. What does it mean to imitate Christ? What will happen to us when we follow in his steps?
Consider the words of the apostle Peter
in 1
Peter 2:21-24: “For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also
suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, who
committed no sin, nor was any deceit found in His mouth; and while being
reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats,
but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously; and He Himself bore
our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to
righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.”
The
word used for example comes from Greek elementary education. It means a writing
copy and describes the way Greek children learned to write. The writing
master prepared the student's tablet by writing a line at the top to be
reproduced by the student and by drawing parallel lines to keep the student's
work straight. The master's line at the top was the pattern or example the boy
must copy in his own hand in learning to write. Mature skill in handwriting
required practice. Many of us remember doing something similar when we were
learning to write. We had writing tablets with large lines, and those large,
thick pencils. At the top of the page were the letters of the alphabet that we
were to practice, and below were the lines where we attempted to reproduce
those letters in our own hand.
Peter's
words show that Jesus' suffering is not only redemptive. It is also an example
that even slaves could imitate in suffering unjust treatment. Jesus left us the
perfect example. He is the perfect writing copy, the outline we strive to
reproduce in our own life. His life is our model.
We sometimes sing, “We will
follow the steps of Jesus, wherever they go.” What will happen to us when we follow in his
steps?
First, imitating Christ will
result in personal growth. We imitate his manner of life. This is seen in the
specific example Peter gives. We do not suffer on the cross and we cannot die
for the sins of others. But following his manner of suffering unjustly for
doing right, we catch his spirit and return love for hate. In his relation to
God, Jesus put him first and served him faithfully. In his relation to men, he
fulfilled every moral precept of the law perfectly. He was loving,
compassionate, and merciful. He was gentle, patient, and kind. He was humble,
forgiving, and submissive to his Father's will. “Therefore be imitators of God,
as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave
Himself up for us…” (Eph. 5:1-2).
As we walk in His steps, we will
be changed. “Do not be
conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”
(Rom. 12:2). Striving to follow in the steps of Jesus will have a powerful
effect on our lives. It will change who we are. We will be out of step with the
world, because rather being shaped by the world’s standards and values, we become
more like Jesus.
Finally, walking in His steps
will bring us into closer fellowship
with Him. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not
walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). And the apostle
John wrote that “If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the light, we have
fellowship with one another” (1 John 1:7).
This idea of imitating Christ,
of walking in His steps, is indeed a powerful idea. It will change who we are
if we are willing to commit ourselves to truly being his disciples.
Dan
Petty
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