REPOST Today’s AMI QT Devotional, first posted on March 20, 2017, is provided by Pastor David Kwon who leads Journey Community Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. David is a graduate of Drexel University and Columbia International University (M.Div.).
Devotional Thought for This Morning
“Be Imitators of Me”
1 Corinthians 11:1
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
A famous author once said, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” We all have people and role models in our lives where we want to strive to be like them in their character, abilities or even their way of life. In high school, I played for my varsity golf team, and I remember wanting to be like my golf coach in many ways. He was a talented teacher and golfer, and knew how to specifically help each of my teammates with their swings and pointed out areas of improvement. He also taught us to play the game with honor and ingrained in us the importance of losing graciously. We were told to respect our opponents and congratulate them, even when we lost. It’s something that I remember even today.
Imitation is an important concept taught in the New Testament. We are told to imitate Christ, imitate mature believers, and to imitate faithful churches. Paul is saying here to imitate him as he imitates Christ. What a bold statement! Paul had just reminded the church in Corinth the pattern of his Christian freedom, which was to not seek his own profit, but for the profit of the many that they might be saved. The reason why Paul was so confident in his Christian living was his responsible use of his Christian liberty in particular, that he was an imitator of Christ in ministry and humility.
Can we say the same thing about ourselves? How do we use our Christian freedom? The truth is that we are all an example for someone. Whether we like it or not, someone is watching us and our life is influencing them. Do our lives point to Christ? Are we being that example of a Christ follower to our church, family, friends, co-workers and neighbors?
Start this morning by surrendering to the Lord. Pray that in all the areas of your life, you can say to others, be imitators of me as I follow Christ.
Prayer: Lord, help me to echo Paul’s prayer to the people in my church, family and world. Maybe I live in such a way where I can confidently say – follow me and I follow Christ. Amen.
Bible Reading for Today: Joshua 4
Lunch Break Study
Read Mark 9:33-37: And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?” 34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest. 35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” 36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”
Questions to Consider
- Why do you think the topic of greatness was argued amongst the disciples?
- According to Jesus, what is greatness? What does it look like?
- What can you do practically this week to practice greatness?
Notes
- The disciples still thought Jesus was an earthly Messiah, who would come and overthrow Roman rule and achieve great earthly status. The disciples wanted to have high positions of power and authority once Jesus reigned.
- Jesus defined greatness as servanthood – one that serves. When we want to be great in God’s kingdom, it means we serve others and look to the needs of others like He did. That’s how we become great.
- Learn how to serve others – be intentional and look out for the needs of others. Learn to sacrifice and to give your time and energy to serve people.
Evening Reflection
Meditate on the Scriptures you read today. Pray for conviction, and ask the Lord how you can apply these passages this week.