Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity, set an example during his life on earth that Christians are called to emulate. But to what extent should we strive to be like him? Let’s explore what the Bible says about following Jesus’ example.
Jesus Called Us to Follow His Example
Jesus directly told his disciples to follow his example and walk as he walked. For instance, in John 13:15, after washing his disciples’ feet, Jesus said “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” He demonstrated servitude and humility, and called his followers to do the same.
Jesus also said in Luke 6:40, “A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher.” The goal of discipleship is to progressively become more like our master, Jesus.
Furthermore, Jesus said in John 14:12, “whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do.” As believers in Christ, we are enabled by the Holy Spirit to imitate Jesus’ godly character, teachings, and miracles.
The Bible Commands Us to Imitate Christ
Beyond Jesus’ own words, the rest of the New Testament frequently commands Christians to follow Christ’s example. For instance, Paul tells us to “be imitators of God, as beloved children” (Ephesians 5:1). Since Jesus is the perfect image of God (Colossians 1:15), imitating God means imitating Jesus.
Similarly, Paul says “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). The apostle Peter also commands us to suffer wrongfully as Jesus did when persecuted.
Paul further exhorts us to have the same servant mindset as Jesus, saying “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus…” (Philippians 2:5). We are to emulate his humility, selflessness, and sacrificial love.
Ways We Should Imitate Jesus
Based on Jesus’ teachings and example, here are some key areas where we are called to imitate our Savior:
- Love – We are to love God and love others as Jesus exemplified (John 13:34)
- Humility – Have humility and resist pride as Jesus did (Philippians 2:8)
- Obedience – Obey God the Father even through suffering (Hebrews 5:8)
- Selflessness – Consider others’ needs above our own (Philippians 2:3-4)
- Forgiveness – Forgive those who wrong us just as Jesus did (Colossians 3:13)
- Service – Serve others with compassion as Jesus served (Mark 10:45)
- Giving – Be generous and share with others in need (2 Corinthians 8:9)
- Evangelism – Tell others the gospel as Jesus commanded (Matthew 28:19-20)
- Courage – Show courage in the face of danger as Jesus did (John 18:4-8)
- Prayer – Pray to the Father as Jesus modeled (Luke 5:16)
Limits to Imitating Jesus
However, the Bible places clear limits on how we are to follow Jesus’ example. For instance:
- We cannot atone for sin as Christ’s sacrifice did (Hebrews 10:12)
- We cannot fulfill the Old Testament Law as Jesus did (Romans 8:3-4)
- We cannot ascend into heaven like Jesus did (Acts 1:9-11)
- We cannot condemn sinners to hell (John 5:22)
- We cannot do supernatural miracles by our own power (Acts 19:11-12)
In these areas, Jesus stands alone in his sovereign divinity and we can never be exactly equal to Him. We follow his example in godly living, but even then admit our total dependence on Christ to live righteously.
Following Jesus Is a Process
Imitating Jesus is a lifelong process as we cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s work to shape us into Christ’s image. We will not achieve sinless perfection or complete conformity to Jesus in this life. But with consistent effort we can grow steadily in representing Jesus’ character and teachings to the world.
Paul describes this lifelong process in 2 Corinthians 3:18, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another.” As we grow in beholding Jesus, we are progressively transformed into his image by the Spirit.
The goal of following Jesus is total surrenderedness to living as he did. This means dying to self and allowing Christ’s virtues to come alive through us by faith. Our old sinful self dies bit by bit as Jesus’ new life in us grows day by day.
Following Jesus Brings Persecution, Rejection
In striving to imitate Jesus, we must embrace the likely outcome of facing persecution and rejection from the world, just as Jesus promised:
“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.” (John 15:18-19)
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12)
Jesus endured mistreatment without retaliation, trusting himself to God. We are to display the same spirit as we imitate Christ, even blessing our enemies and praying for those who persecute us.
Following Jesus Is Empowered by Grace
We cannot succeed in becoming like Jesus under our own willpower and strength. We need the empowerment of God’s grace at work in our spirits to transform our sinful, selfish hearts into Christlike humility and love.
The apostle Paul described this gracious strength from God at work in Him in Colossians 1:29, “For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.”
And in Philippians 4:13, Paul said, “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Christ living in us is the power to walk as he walked by grace through faith.
As we fix our eyes on Jesus through regular study of the gospels, his Spirit will empower us increasingly to represent him through our character and deeds each day.
We Are Justified by Faith, Not Works
Although we are commanded to follow Jesus’ example, our efforts can never earn acceptance with God. Only through faith are we justified and declared righteous based on Christ’s finished work, not our meritorious works (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Good works are the evidence of our faith and the appropriate response to Christ’s gift of salvation. But our imitation of Jesus remains imperfect and stained by sin. We rest wholly in the perfect righteousness of Christ imputed to us by faith in him.
Jesus Is Our Supreme Example and Teacher
Jesus Christ alone lived a sinless life that qualifies him to be the flawless exemplar for the human race to follow obediently. The gospels record his teachings and model life as the perfect standard for us to study and imitate by his grace.
Although following Jesus can be challenging and costly in this life, the eternal rewards far outweigh any earthly sacrifices. The more we surrender and conform ourselves to him, the greater we experience the sacred blessings of “the one who called you to his own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3).