Movie stars are known to immerse themselves into the lives of the people they play on the big screen. It has been reported that one actor, who portrayed a rock 'n' roll singer in a biographical film, spent a full year listening to and memorizing his songs, as well as learning to imitate his voice, mannerisms, and behavior. He went to the singer's favorite hangouts and wore the same style of clothes that he did from the sixties. He perfected his walk and talk. His efforts paid off as one of the singer's former bandmates said he had trouble sometimes discerning the actor's voice and style from his friend's. After completing the movie, the actor revealed that he had to go to therapy because he could not stop thinking like the man he portrayed.
The apostle Paul gave a command to the Christians in Corinth, and by extension, us: Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1, NKJV). To imitate is to mimic, or to use as our model. The actor imitated the late singer to such an extent that he started thinking like him and had difficulty coming out of that mindset. This is what you and I are to do with Christ. The Scriptures say: Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5); And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2); 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 (2 Corinthians 3:18); He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked (1 John 2:6).
On the other hand, the word of God condemns those who follow the dictates of their own hearts: He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered (Proverbs 28:26). Following the desires of one's own heart will inevitably lead to sin: Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death (James 1:13-15). Many want to walk to the beat of their own drum, so to speak, but history has shown us that this way leads only to suffering, fear, enslavement, and death. That is what happened to God's people, the Jews, in Jeremiah's day. They were ultimately led away into Babylonian captivity. The prophet lamented, O Lord, I know the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man who walks to direct his own steps (Jeremiah 10:23). We need God's wisdom.
What if we totally immersed ourselves in Christ the way the actor did in his character? What if the very impulse of our hearts would be to always do the things that are pleasing to God (John 8:29)? Could we obey the Lord not grudgingly nor of necessity, but because of our sincere love for him? Might we, like the psalmist say, "I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart” (Psalms 40:8). Yes, this psalm was fulfilled by Jesus (Hebrews 10:5-7). He told his apostles that he was obedient to the Father because he loved the Father: But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father gave Me commandment, so I do... (John 14:31).
Let us therefore make it our life's endeavor not only to act like Jesus, but to think like him. Such will reflect our sincere love for our heavenly Father, and be well pleasing to him, as well as be very good for us. But unlike the actor, once we get our model into our heads, may it never be that we ever ask him to depart.
Brotherly, Jamie
