Imitation Of Life: Romans 5:8

God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

To imitate means to copy, to duplicate the original.  To be like or to act like the original.  It is said that imitation is the purest form of flattery.

The question becomes, who should we imitate?  Who so people see when they look at you?  Who is it that you want to be like?  Perhaps a better question might be, who has lived a perfect life before you that warrants you imitating?

I submit that there is only one life worthy to be imitated without question: Jesus Christ!  Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth;
who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return: when He suffered, He did not threathen, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having  died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed.
For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

The greatest form of flattery we can pay to Jesus is to act like Him.  To demonstrate Him to the world.  We can make the world a better place if we would only imitate and demonstrate the love of Jesus in the world.

Put on Christ.  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.  The church needs to put on Christ and disrobe the world.  Disrobe jealousy, anger, strife, borken relationships and families and all the ways of the world.  Put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand in the evil day against the wiles of the devil.  Many in the church need to pull off their worldly earth suit and put on their Christ suit, which is LOVE!  Love should be the governor and regulator of the soul!

The love of Jesus is not an emotional love, but love by choice.  A love that is unselfish, a love that is kind, a love that makes sacrifices for others, a love that gives, a love that does not envy, a love that is patient, a love that rejoices in the truth, rather than iniquity.

LOVE NEVER FAILS!  One who lives by these standards is a life to imitate.

                                                               IMITATE THAT!