CATEGORY: Character
The Apostle Paul’s words ‘imitate me’ are a hard requirement for any man. Yet in it’s entirety it remains a key statement for the apostolic ministry within the local church — for it is Christ’s ministry that He continues to work in the lives of men, yet it is not a burden that man bears alone. The people to whom Paul made this address, are the very people who came to believe in Christ through Paul’s ministry. Yet Paul instructs them, imitate me!!
The Apostle Paul describes us as Christian believers, as being like ‘earthen vessels’ or ‘jars of clay’ and yet able to contain the excellence of the power of God.
Right near the very end of the New Testament in the Bible, the Apostle John gives us these vital and precious promises from the Lord…
During his exile on the Island of Patmos, the Apostle John saw a vision of Satan, the accuser of the brethren, being cast down out of heaven, into the earth below.
In the same way that God has called us as believers in Christ to be salt and light to the earth despite what opposition may come, both the Apostle Peter and the writer of Hebrews spoke of the long-suffering nature of Christ being our Salvation.
Jesus said to the Pharisees, “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36 & 37