Imitators of christ

1 Thessalonians 1:6 NIV

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

To be a Christian not only means to follow christ but to imitate him in all that he does.  To Imitate his love his life and even into his suffering. 

Sure it's not too much of a stretch to love people even love those who hate me,  but to suffer like christ suffer is something I have a hard time doing. One thing that I truly can't stand is being blamed for something I didn't do.  To take the hit for a friend is hard but for an enemy or a stranger is something I would never do. Christ took on sin even when he was innocent. He also suffer the physical pains for taking on sins of this world.  Something I would never do. But this is what portrays God ultimate love and this is what I must imitate.

Jesus forgive me for saying I'm Christian when I can't fully imitate you.  Help me Holy Spirit to be more like you. In jesus name amen