How to imitate Jesus with these 3 humbling qualities
I loved sneaking up behind my uncle and imitating his peculiar walk as a little girl. I also liked to imitate the way my father would preach at the pulpit as well. Today’s post is an eye opener with the question: how to imitate Jesus and not earthly leaders.
Last week, I wrote a very special prayer for every parent . I pray you will most certainly read it aloud for your own children as well. We love to imitate the good and the bad of our parents, church leaders, celebrities, and other world leaders.
Young girls and boys follow their earthly idols and are devastated when these singers or actors fall from their expectations.
Imitating Christ or founders of Church
I have been wondering about the different denominations within the Body of Christ. If you study about these organizations closely – Catholicism and Protestant (more denominations within this as well ) groups were formed based on difference of theology, rituals /traditions that were passed on, and primarily because of the earthly founders.
Rather than imitating Christ, studying the Bible thoroughly, and sharing the gospel. Everyone is busy promoting their own denominations and causing so much division.
1 Corinthians 3:4,5, NIV
When one of you says, “I am a follower of Paul,” and another says, “I follow Apollos,” aren’t you acting just like people of the world?
After all, who is Apollos? Who is Paul? We are only God’s servants through whom you believed the Good News. Each of us did the work the Lord gave us.
There is only one unfailing God who took on the very form of Man and showed His Creation how to imitate Him.
Jesus said “Follow ME , Learn from ME, Lean on ME , Listen to MY Voice , Walk with ME , and LIVE for ME ”
Here is how to Imitate Jesus with these 3 humbling qualities :
1. Imitating Jesus in His Servanthood
A servant is someone in my opinion one who is diligent in His Master’s field, and who makes sure to look not only for his own interest but also the interest of his Master.
A master is someone who treats his servant with respect and dignity.
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross.”
How to imitate Christ in Servanthood –
a. We must empty and strip our self of our own vain glory, and fill up with the humility of God.
b. One must seek out willingly the interest of others as well. Be Selfless and not Selfish.
c. We must be diligent until the work is complete on earth. It is when Jesus cried loudly on the Cross, “It is finished” that HE completed the work the Father gave to HIM.
2. Imitating Jesus in His SERVICE
I remember often reading this quote growing up, “Service to man is service to God”.
Here is how Christ led by example. Jesus stepped down from His heavenly throne to serve mankind.
The King of kings served us all with His humility and love by giving His life to set each one of us free from bondage.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45(KJV)
Colossians 3:23-24(KJV) And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ”
How to Imitate Christ through Service:
d) One must serve another with our actions without any grudge, hypocrisy, or expecting any favor in return
e) We must serve willingly as if serving the Lord and not man, even when the task is much difficult.
f) One must study the SON- His compassion for the widows, the love for the little children, utmost care for the hungry crowd, and the groaning for those who weep.
3. Imitating Jesus through SUFFERING:
I struggle to imitate Christ in this area the most. The suffering the Lord endured for a wretched sinner like me is unexplainable and unbearable for me to fathom.
Yet the greatest example of love that Jesus showed for humankind was His suffering on this earth.
1 Peter 2:20-21 (KJV)For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his step
How to Imitate Christ through our sufferings
g) One must be patient in suffering undeserved afflictions
h) One must remain hopeful in the company of friends and believers
i ) One must rejoice in suffering for therein we will witness God’s strength and deliverance in due time.
Romans 5:3-5(KJV) – How does this verse help you in your sufferings today?
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Note: If you are going through any form of physical, mental abuse, or sexual assault, please do seek help immediately.
God has not given anyone permission to violate anyone’s body except to love one another no matter the color, gender, or race. Bible condones such grave matters.
Ponder Upon:
1.Do you think these three S’s – (Servanthood, Service, and Suffering) are co-related or contrasted with each other?
2.Which of these three do you struggle with the most?
3.Have you ever wondered what would happen all the denominations came together to lift the name of Jesus and to imitate Him?
I love reading your comments, and thank you from the bottom of my heart for visiting me today.
If this post blessed you, won’t you share it to your loved ones as well?
Diana
Dani | Free Indeed
August 22, 2017 at 7:52 pmI also struggle with the “S” of suffering. It’s amazing to think Christ asks us to take up our own cross. And yet, when we do so, we praise Him all the more for the merciful and kind God He is for enduring such shame for us. He sharpens us further for His glory and into His image in hardship. Wow! Thanks Diana.
Diana
August 24, 2017 at 6:16 amWe are absolutely sharpened to be in His image through these 3 S’s. I love how you said He wants us to carry our own cross, and learn from HIM in the process.
Thank you Dani for your blessed comments
Tracy
August 22, 2017 at 11:44 pmOhhh. That is such a hard one!
“One must be patient in suffering undeserved afflictions.” How easy that seems when we are not in times of affliction but when those times of hurt and trial come they can be so hard to bear up under. Especially when the temptation is to buckle and get bitter.
Great post my friend! What a blessing.
Diana
August 24, 2017 at 6:17 amImitating the Suffering of Christ is definitely the hardest one especially when the trial is painful and hurtful. Thank you so much for your amazing comments.
Blessings
Shelby Spear
August 23, 2017 at 8:59 amLove, love, love your 3 “S’s” of modeling behavior. Thank you for sharing this……..
Diana
August 24, 2017 at 6:18 amShelby, thank you for visiting me today and being blessed. Everything about Jesus Christ is full of love and learn right?
Blessings
Susan Shipe
August 23, 2017 at 9:26 amDiana, we are neighbors at Holley’s today (#7). Your 3 S’s are thought-provoking. I venture to say Suffering is the most difficult.
Diana
August 24, 2017 at 6:20 amSusan, so glad you visited me .Suffering is indeed the hardest one but with Christ by our side we can face it better
Karen Friday
August 23, 2017 at 9:56 amLove this post, Diana. The three “S’s” are spot on in what the life of a believer should look like. Like you, I also struggle the most in the area of suffering. I just pray and ask the Lord to take it away quickly. Yet, that’s not how Jesus handle suffering at all. But then I remind myself to endure the suffering because the promise of 1 Peter 5:10 is coming, after we have suffered a little while, God himself will restore, strengthen, confirm and establish us. We can do it ourselves but trust God to! Blessings!
Diana
August 24, 2017 at 6:22 amOh, Karen I too wish the sufferings would just disappear quickly but the Lord truly wants to strengthen, and establish us through these lessons . He wants us to comfort and strengthen one another as well. I am so glad to read your comments and I pray the Lord will give you enough strength for today .
lorrie
August 23, 2017 at 11:14 amthanks for the great lesson about jesus about service, i like to be behind the scenes helping out with things
Diana
August 24, 2017 at 6:24 amLorrie, you will be most assuredly blessed for your heart of service. Thank you so much for visiting me
Alexis
August 23, 2017 at 1:19 pmThe 3 S concept made this easy to remember. I struggle with suffering the most. Thanks for the reminder!
Diana
August 24, 2017 at 6:26 amI am so glad the 3 S’s has made it easier to remember. I pray that you be ever an imitator of Christ no matter what storms may come your way. I loved visiting your blog as well.
Sarah Geringer
August 23, 2017 at 1:44 pmTweeted and pinned, friend!
Miriam
August 23, 2017 at 7:57 pmThank you for a thought-provoking post and I agree we ought to imitate Jesus.
Diana
August 24, 2017 at 6:27 amMiriam thank you for visiting me as well, I love your name by the way. Let us imitate Jesus on this earth for as long as we can.
Lisa notes
August 23, 2017 at 9:34 pmIt’s always so amazing to me that the very Son of God Himself took on the form of a servant. If he can do it, why can’t I? Thanks for the encouragement to serve, Diana!
Diana
August 24, 2017 at 6:29 amLisa, I love your comments every time. You said it well, if the Son of God can serve why can’t we, right? How often we forget to step down and serve those in need
Christine Carter
August 23, 2017 at 10:39 pmOh so much good stuff in this post, Diana! Reading it reminded me of Mathew 25: 40 and 45. I always think of those truths as I try to serve and love others like Jesus called us to do and He did himself.
The suffering part is hard for me too- how can it NOT be? When I am suffering, I try to lift it up to Christ as an offering for His love.
Diana
August 24, 2017 at 6:31 amAmen to your comments. I love Mathew 25:45 how often we forget God’s people and claim to serve God. It made me re – read those passages today again.
Misty
August 24, 2017 at 6:20 amDiana, I find it is most difficult to be acquainted with the suffering of Jesus.Thanks for these words of wisdom! Visiting today from #ChasingCommunity
Diana
August 24, 2017 at 6:32 amThank you Misty for visiting me today, It is not easy to imitate Jesus who has most certainly set the bar high 🙂
Michele Morin
August 24, 2017 at 7:11 amRight now my daily Bible reading is in the book of Jeremiah, and I’m thinking that I need to return to the Gospels. Thank you for this post which puts the life of Jesus on display for my learning and growth.
Crystal Storms
August 24, 2017 at 11:26 amBeautiful illustrations, Diana, of what imitating Jesus looks like practically. Being hopeful and rejoicing in suffering is the hardest. But it is only through His empowering grace that I can hope to walk any of them out. Sweet blessings!
Alice Walters
August 25, 2017 at 8:07 amHello, Diana! Like you and Crystal, suffering is the most challenging way for me to imitate Christ. What helps me most is to also try to imitate the hope in our Father’s perfect will while going through suffering.
Bev @ Walking Well With God
August 25, 2017 at 11:02 amDiana,
I would have to say that Servanthood and Service come easier to me, but participating in Christ’s suffering is often so much harder. We fight and rail against suffering, but it is in the actual act of suffering that we are able to get even the tiniest glimpse of what Christ went through for us. He suffered for us so He could be with us. Through suffering we really come to know His true character and so I do try to count my suffering as joy. Great thought provoking post!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Jamie@TheMomGene
August 27, 2017 at 9:46 amPatient, hopeful, and rejoicing in suffering can feel nearly impossible, which is why we are most called to ask God to intercede in these times. Thank you for sharing this reminder on #sundaythoughts link up!
Marva | SunSparkleShine
August 28, 2017 at 1:30 amDiana, thank you for pointing us to the One who is truly worthy of imitation in every way. To be quiet honest I think the one aspect I least want to imitate is His suffering. And to think that He willingly suffered for me and would do it again — I’m just blown away!
Wishing you blessings, my friend.
Joanne Viola
August 28, 2017 at 8:45 amThis post went along so well with my reading earlier as it focused on imitating Jesus through His obedience to the Father. Grateful to have been neighbors this morning! Blessings!
Lesley
August 28, 2017 at 4:01 pmI don’t think any of these are easy but I probably find suffering the hardest. We always need to be looking to Jesus’ example though and trying to be more like him.
Amy Jung
August 29, 2017 at 9:00 amAll three are challenging, but I suppose suffering is the worst. Although Serving can be a form of suffering I’ve found! I definitely depend on Christ to do all of these three things well. Thank you for reminding me of the beauty of our Lord.
Barbie
August 31, 2017 at 12:52 amI struggle with suffering the most. I’ve had my fair share of heartache over the last few years and it’s easy to find myself complaining and forget the One who holds it all in His hands. Thank you for sharing!
Neca | The GreatBIGLife
October 5, 2017 at 5:25 pmDiana, this is such a great reminder for me…that to imitate Christ is less about giving lip-service but actually SERVING! Thanks for sharing!
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