Imitate Christ, Yes, But….

“The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God” Gal. 2:20

Octavius Winslow said of this life, “The spiritual life is above nature, and therefore all the power of nature cannot create the essential property or principle of this life. Nature, we admit, can go far in imitating some of its characteristics, but nature cannot create the essential property or principle of this life.”

In 1 Cor. 11:1, Paul says to imitate him, even as he imitates Christ, but this is different from those who, like Simon Magus, feigned repentance for personal gain. Many have done so throughout history; not only individuals but congregations, which held doctrines to serve them as a funnel and tap. Fakers—cheap imitations—all tares among the wheat. The question is, how do we know them? Well, they do what comes natural, and what is natural, it is done in sin; turned over to an increasing hardness; soon without a blush or pang of conscience. They can talk the talk in church and over the internet, but their lives at home are in shambles. They can party-hardy on Saturday night, and the next morning, raise their hands to the rhythm of the music, but not to the beat of Christ’s heart. Are we equally enthusiastic and worshipful when in congregational prayer or upon the hearing of God’s Word? Moreover, men can recite Scripture and verse. Natural men do have a mental faculty to do so, but their speech away from the pulpit or camera is spiced with sexual innuendo, prejudice, sarcasm, vindictiveness and fundamentalism. They can do many good things; thus, appearing to love others, but they reserve the glory for themselves; they are men-pleasers; they claim their charisma is the evidence of their spiritual gift, but it is only natural; such as it comes to used car salesmen. One must only look closer at what they have to sell:  it may appear sleek and shiny on the outside, but look under the hood.

No, the life that a true believer lives is by faith; wherever they may be in life or call; whether with plenty or little, circumstances of joy or sorrow. They learn contentedness. It’s not that they don’t face hardship and temptation; in fact, they will often face greater trials and fall into sin! But the grace of God will lift them up to repent and to walk again. They live and walk by faith, and this faith assures them that Christ is their redeemer, sanctification and eternal provider, no matter how lean their daily portion. Christ is their portion and His grace sufficient; even as Jesus told the disciples that He had meat to eat and drink they knew not of; nonetheless, God will always provide. In fact, God loves us so much that if He gave us an excessive portion He knows that we would not draw as close. Is this ever preached? That God is not severe or unloving when He limits our portion? Are we taught that it is meant for our good and possibly removes us from a temptation that could ruin us?

However, many imitators—those Christ-less fakers will tout the prosperity, healings and gifts available to all their hearers,  will they address the personal sin and wickedness that is around and within them? No, of course not! Some claim to be prophets, but what do they proclaim? Today, the preaching of Satan, sin and hell is hardly ever discussed. Why? Because such would deprive them of what they, and those who follow, truly seek: filling their own bellies. They prefer the honey, but they fail to mention the sting of death. They live as Israel and Judah in the latter days of the Old Testament; Simon Magus, Judas, Herod of the New; bringing disparagement and scorn; not glory to our Lord. Oh, if only they are supernaturally exposed here in this natural world, perhaps they’d repent and confess their sins and do so before their chance slips away. Once it does, they cannot go back. Once their day passes, they must go forward to face the day that our Lord did not recite in His reading of Isaiah 61:2 before those gathered in the temple. What was that day? The day of vengeance of our God.