Is it possible to imitate Paul? The good news is that it is. We can all live out the realities of the Gospel, even as Paul did. The truth is that all the New Testament writers believed that Christians could live out the implications of the Gospel. This was fundamental to their understanding. Let me give you some examples. Turn to:
a) Ephesians 4:32 (ESV).
We read, "32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in
Christ forgave you." The implication is that because God in Christ
forgave us, we are then expected and empowered to forgive others; or notice,
b)
Colossians
3:1 (ESV), 1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the
things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of
God." Again you see the idea. If you have been brought to life in Christ,
then it is part of our new nature to seek the things of God.
c)
Later
in 1 Corinthians, Paul will say to this Church: “Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are
unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed.” (1 Corinthians 5:7, ESV). You are
unleavened now, so clean out any leaven in your life.
Probably the most important verse that reminds us that this imitation is possible with all of us is found in Colossians 2:6–7 (ESV), "6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving." My paraphrase would be, "As you believed the Gospel, now live out the implications of the Gospel."
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