A ‘Copy-Cat’ Jesus

“You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.”

I Thessalonians 1:6

 

 

 

There is a phrase, often repeated in news stories, that goes something like this…

“He was a copy-cat burglar” or a “copy-cat bank-robber” or even, sadly, “he was a copy-cat serial killer.”

Of course the statement being made is that whoever the criminal was they were copying or repeating an act or behavior they saw or read about another person doing.

Yep, you already know where I am going with this!

Why don’t we see a story line like the following?

“He was a copy-cat Jesus!”

I can hear them now - there are a thousand and one reasons why not shouting back at me.

Yes, I know the media will not handle it the same way.

Yes, I know the word ‘copy-cat’ can carry a negative connotation.

Yes, I know…but…

Aren’t we called to be ‘copy-cats’ of Christ?

“Therefore be imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example],

 as well-beloved children [imitate their father].

Ephesians 5:1 (Amplified)

Imagine, for a moment, the change across the globe if all of us who are called “Christians” became true imitators – copy-cats if you will – of Jesus Christ!

That does not mean you walk up to a perfect stranger and, devoid of any leading from the Holy Spirit, begin to pray for them.

Jesus was always “in the Spirit”.

He was led to do what He did by the Holy Spirit of God.

He was also led, in some cases, not to do what man desired Him to do.

For those reading this blog in the United States, we are celebrating Thanksgiving Day today.

While this may not seem like a typical message for today, consider for a moment the thanks that would be expressed to God by those who were ministered to by a ‘copy-cat Jesus’!

Let’s be the church that changes the story line.