Imitate You How?!

Paul's exhortation for the Corinthians to imitate him (1 Cor. 4:16) was not the egotism of a charismatic leader desiring groupies. Paul was telling the Corinthians to listen for the true voice of the gospel among many other voices clamouring for their attention and allegiance. Paul uses the metaphor of a child's "guide" contrasted with his "father" to advance his argument. The guide was generally a servant or slave that would supervise a child, make sure they got to school, did their studies, etc. This was an important job, but it was not the position, authority, and relationship as embodied in the child's father! Paul tells his Corinthians brothers to listen to him over competing voices, as they would their father over a servant. Paul here reminds them that he became like a father to them, not because of anything inherent in Paul. No. Because of the gospel: "For I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel." (Note the emphasized phrase).

It's only after this important contrast is pointed out, that he encourages them to follow him, to imitate him. And as if Paul's example was not worthy of imitation--especially in light of the transformational message that he had delivered to them--he mercifully sends Timothy to assuage any of their doubts about Paul's consistent gospel-centered life. We see this in verse 17: "to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church." Such evidence, such a life, is a powerful influence on others. Paul elsewhere instructs Timothy to ensure that his life the same kind of saving influence: "Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers." (1 Tim. 4:16). Paul wasn't boasting to the Corinthians about his piety, and he wasn't instructing Timothy to be boastful about his. Paul's instruction to both the Corinthians and to Timothy was to follow Paul to the extent that what he believed and what he did reflected the transformational power of the gospel of Jesus!

So can we ever tell someone to imitate us? It is dangerous, I'll admit. Pitfalls of pride abound. But if you are experiencing a self-denying, sacrificial life in the hope and power of the cross and you see a brother that is running after some other source of hope or power (e.g., the love of money or prestige), I think it is your duty to tell them about how your thinking and life has been changed because of your moment by moment trust in what Jesus has already accomplished. Its what Paul did. He instructed Timothy to do it.

The caveat is that you cannot live like a hypocrite and then tell someone to imitate you. You must heed Paul's advice to Timothy to keep a close watch on your way of living and your attitudes about your life, making sure that they are informed by, motivated by, and reflective of the gospel (There may even be the need of a Timothy to come and testify to it). Only then will your call for a brother to imitate you be boasting in Christ and what He has done for you.