Have you ever imagined a greater version of

yourself? I know it's even facetious to ask! Of course,

we all have. As a child growing up in a very strict
conservative home, I would often pretend to be
someone completely different. I'd imagine I was a
particular ctitious character, hoping that some traits
might show through externally.

As a Christian, you can bet that there were times I'd
lay awake at night envisioning myself with a different
personality. One more Holy, stoic, serious, and perfect. Things always seem so easy when your
imagining them in bed. Upon waking up, the rst person I'd encounter would reveal who I really
was. I used to lay in bed wishing I was an introvert, that way I wouldn't come off as a loud and
obnoxious person, but to no avail.

One day, while going about my duties, I was thinking about how I'd like to act toward a
situation. Suddenly, I remembered a point my pastor had made in his sermon, and I thought
"You know Jim wouldn't handle it that way." Suddenly I felt a sense of clarity, that if my pastor
were in the room when committed this stupidity, he'd steer me in the right direction.

After stewing on that for a minute, I thought to myself, "You know, why I am worried
about Jim being in the room during moments of stupidity, or how Jim would act, when God is
always there?"

I mean, might as well get the water at it's source right? That might seem like the logical
answer, but it's not the biblical one.

The Apostle Paul had condence that he truly shined as Christ shines, so that if
someone were to copy him, they'd be copying Christ. Now I know there are plenty of Christians
out there who we'd be making a real mistake imitating, but let that not keep us from doing what
we must do.

We do believe we've been born again, and have indwelling of the Holy Spirit. There are
times I see a brother in Christ just living life, and about exclaim aloud that they are such a
person of excellence; and everything they touch prospers. I the way someone is with their kids
and I take a mental note, hungry to see that aspect of the Kingdom in my life. That is also what
we do with biblical characters, such as Abraham, David, and Elijah. We extract the silver from
the dross, because we know good and well that all of those characters were awed and made
huge mistakes, though we still look up to them.

Christ, Immanuel (God with us) was sent to
represent and embody the Father to the world. God is
ne with representatives. That is exactly who the Church
is to be. The Body of Christ, who embodies His mission,
Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. (1 Corinthians 11:1 NASB)
God is fine with
representatives. That is
exactly who the Church
is to be. The Body of
Christ, who embodies
His mission, power, and
glory.
power, and glory.

Even though we have the written Word of God, we still need relationship with Him, and
His presence. However, as we all know, our relationship isn't complete without knowing His
Bride. Fellowship with other believers is paramount to spiritual growth. That is because all of
mankind is made for companionship, and trying to be a Super-Christian without other followers
of Christ is futile. No one man or woman can contain the multifaceted glory of God.

I can assure you, from personally experience that having someone
live out the Kingdom in front of you, and trying to imitate it is much
more simple than trying to squeeze it out of your best efforts. Paul
made it very simple for us in 2 Corinthians, when he told us that
looking at Jesus was like looking into a mirror, and we are changed
by looking upon Him. Just like the bronze snake Moses held up in
the desert. Everyone who looked upon the bronze snake was
healed. When we look upon Jesus, we take upon His image.



The company we keep then is very important.

Does this mean we become hermits and refuse to hangout with
people who don't share the same morals? No, we were called to arise
and shine, and light always overcomes darkness. It is who we let
inuence us. Christ could become a friend of sinners because He was
the determining factor. However, if insecurity and lack of identity play
any key in a Christian's life, then limiting who has inuence over you is
very important. Sadly, I know people who surround themselves with
people who really don't hunger after God, and they wonder why they
are in the place they're in. Misery, anger, bitterness, rage, jealousy,
laziness, and hate are behaviors that start to be exhibited once you
For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the
same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually
members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is
given to us... (Romans 12:4-6 NKJV)
The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads
them astray. (Proverbs 12:26 NIV)
Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits. (I Corinthians 15:33 NKJV)
But we all, with unveiled
face, beholding as in a
mirror the glory of the
Lord, are being
transformed into the
same image from glory
to glory, just as by the
Spirit of the Lord. (II
Corinthians 3:18 NKJV)
The
combination
of faith and
honor allows
you to draw
from the
grace God
has placed
on a
person's life.
become detached from light, and let ignorance inuence you. When you leave light, you start to
justify deliberate destructive lifestyles. You will tell yourself, because there is no example around
you, that it is primitive thinking that limits you and what you want, and you begin to despise
familiarity of righteousness. When you lose relationship with The Bride, you forget who you are,
and why you're here.

When it comes to who I should imitate, Holy Spirit highlights to me the attributes He is
wanting me to obtain from another person. I might see that
one person's ability to abide in the presence is incredible, and
I honor the gift, breakthrough, grace, anointing, and/or mantle
on their life. The combination of faith and honor allows you to
draw from the grace God has placed on a person's life.
Oftentimes, the thing we want most is incased inside a person
who we'd soon pull out our ngernails then honor them.

So look around at who you surround yourself with. Make adjustments in love. Do not let
the complacency of others be your undoing. Love is so important, but so is your destiny, which
is so great! Follow people who are following Jesus, because they embody a piece of your
inheritance that you need to fulll your calling. Imitate... become imitation crab meat, where you
can't tell the difference who's who!
Honor all people...
(1 Peter 2:17