Chase Snyder | Co-Pastor, FBC Loganville
Are You Ready to Follow Christ’s Example? The Leadership Challenge That No One Talks About
In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul boldly says, "Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ." That’s a big statement. It’s one that might make you pause and think. Can you say the same thing about your life? Can you look at those around you—your friends, family, coworkers, or even strangers—and confidently tell them to follow your example if they want to follow Jesus?
This verse might seem simple at first, but when you really sit with it, it’s heavy. The responsibility of living in such a way that others can see Christ in you is a tall order. We’re talking about leading by example, not just in words but in action. And honestly, that’s terrifying. If we’re honest, many of us struggle with the thought of people imitating us. Why? Because we know our flaws. We know there are times when our actions don’t align with what we say or what we believe.
The Reality of Being Imitated
We all influence someone, whether we realize it or not. In fact, people naturally imitate others. Think about children watching their parents. They don’t just pick up on what you say; they mimic what you do. As a parent, you’ve probably experienced the "mirror effect." Your child might copy your habits without you realizing it, whether that’s something as simple as always being on your phone or something deeper like your reactions to stress or anger.
When my son was just three or four years old, he walked around with a toy Spider-Man phone glued to his hand. At first, it seemed innocent and cute, but then it hit me—my son was mimicking my own behavior. I realized I was constantly on my phone, and my son was just doing what he saw me doing. That moment was a wake-up call. My son wasn’t just following what I said; he was following what I did.
This dynamic of imitation isn’t just true for kids. It’s true for everyone. Whether we like it or not, people are watching us. And more often than not, they’ll imitate our actions, not our words.
Are You Imitating Christ or the World?
So, the question becomes: Are you imitating Christ? Are you following Him closely enough that others who follow you are getting a clear picture of who Jesus is? Or are you letting the culture, your emotions, or your own desires take over, and that’s what others see? It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if we say the right things, that’s enough. But people won’t just follow your words; they’ll follow your actions.
James 1:22 reminds us, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." It’s easy to say the right thing—it’s much harder to live it. Your life speaks louder than any words you could say. You might tell people to be patient, kind, and forgiving, but if you’re quick to anger, constantly criticizing others or holding onto grudges, people will follow what they see. This is why imitating Christ isn’t just about behavior; it’s about character. It’s about being transformed from the inside out by the Holy Spirit.
Enduring the Challenge of Godly Leadership
Leading by example also requires endurance. Galatians 6:9 encourages us not to grow tired of doing good, "for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up." Being a godly leader, whether at home, work, or in your community, takes perseverance. It’s not easy to consistently live out your faith, especially when the pressures of life increase.
Leading a family, being a good employee, or serving in ministry can be exhausting. The more influence you have, the more weight there is on your shoulders. But here's the good news: you don’t carry that burden alone. God promises to guide and strengthen us through His Holy Spirit. When you feel the pressure building, remember that you’re built on a firm foundation—Jesus Christ.
That said, there’s no retirement from following Jesus. You don’t get to serve God for a few years and then step back and say, "I’ve done my part." Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we are God’s workmanship, created for good works, which He prepared for us to do. You don’t age out of God’s calling. Until He calls you home, He’s calling you to endure and continue leading others to Him.
Risking Comfort for the Gospel
Being a leader for Christ often involves risk. But maybe "risk" isn’t the right word. Maybe we should call it "faith." Stepping out in faith to do what God calls us to do is often uncomfortable. It might mean speaking out when it’s easier to stay quiet, loving when it’s easier to ignore, or serving when it’s easier to focus on yourself. But living by faith requires trusting God to lead you into the unknown and uncomfortable for His glory.
An old professor once said that every leader in ministry has three options: you can be an undertaker, a caretaker, or a risk-taker. The undertaker watches things die; the caretaker does what’s needed to keep things comfortable; but the risk-taker does real ministry. They step into the mess, trusting God to do big things. And that’s not just true for ministry leaders; it’s true for everyone. Faith is risky because it often means stepping into the unknown, trusting God with the results.
The Importance of Being Led by Jesus
You can’t lead others to Jesus if you aren’t following Him yourself. Before you can help others imitate Christ, you need to make sure you’re being led by Him in every aspect of your life. Check the Fruit of the Spirit in your life—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Are you growing in these areas? Are you being transformed to look more like Jesus each day?
God has entrusted you with influence, whether you realize it or not. How are you using it? Are you pointing people to Christ by the way you live? Or are you letting the world dictate your actions? The people around you—your kids, your friends, your coworkers—are watching. The real question is, When they imitate you, are they getting closer to Jesus?
In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul boldly says, "Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ." That’s a big statement. It’s one that might make you pause and think. Can you say the same thing about your life? Can you look at those around you—your friends, family, coworkers, or even strangers—and confidently tell them to follow your example if they want to follow Jesus?
This verse might seem simple at first, but when you really sit with it, it’s heavy. The responsibility of living in such a way that others can see Christ in you is a tall order. We’re talking about leading by example, not just in words but in action. And honestly, that’s terrifying. If we’re honest, many of us struggle with the thought of people imitating us. Why? Because we know our flaws. We know there are times when our actions don’t align with what we say or what we believe.
The Reality of Being Imitated
We all influence someone, whether we realize it or not. In fact, people naturally imitate others. Think about children watching their parents. They don’t just pick up on what you say; they mimic what you do. As a parent, you’ve probably experienced the "mirror effect." Your child might copy your habits without you realizing it, whether that’s something as simple as always being on your phone or something deeper like your reactions to stress or anger.
When my son was just three or four years old, he walked around with a toy Spider-Man phone glued to his hand. At first, it seemed innocent and cute, but then it hit me—my son was mimicking my own behavior. I realized I was constantly on my phone, and my son was just doing what he saw me doing. That moment was a wake-up call. My son wasn’t just following what I said; he was following what I did.
This dynamic of imitation isn’t just true for kids. It’s true for everyone. Whether we like it or not, people are watching us. And more often than not, they’ll imitate our actions, not our words.
Are You Imitating Christ or the World?
So, the question becomes: Are you imitating Christ? Are you following Him closely enough that others who follow you are getting a clear picture of who Jesus is? Or are you letting the culture, your emotions, or your own desires take over, and that’s what others see? It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if we say the right things, that’s enough. But people won’t just follow your words; they’ll follow your actions.
James 1:22 reminds us, "But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves." It’s easy to say the right thing—it’s much harder to live it. Your life speaks louder than any words you could say. You might tell people to be patient, kind, and forgiving, but if you’re quick to anger, constantly criticizing others or holding onto grudges, people will follow what they see. This is why imitating Christ isn’t just about behavior; it’s about character. It’s about being transformed from the inside out by the Holy Spirit.
Enduring the Challenge of Godly Leadership
Leading by example also requires endurance. Galatians 6:9 encourages us not to grow tired of doing good, "for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up." Being a godly leader, whether at home, work, or in your community, takes perseverance. It’s not easy to consistently live out your faith, especially when the pressures of life increase.
Leading a family, being a good employee, or serving in ministry can be exhausting. The more influence you have, the more weight there is on your shoulders. But here's the good news: you don’t carry that burden alone. God promises to guide and strengthen us through His Holy Spirit. When you feel the pressure building, remember that you’re built on a firm foundation—Jesus Christ.
That said, there’s no retirement from following Jesus. You don’t get to serve God for a few years and then step back and say, "I’ve done my part." Ephesians 2:10 reminds us that we are God’s workmanship, created for good works, which He prepared for us to do. You don’t age out of God’s calling. Until He calls you home, He’s calling you to endure and continue leading others to Him.
Risking Comfort for the Gospel
Being a leader for Christ often involves risk. But maybe "risk" isn’t the right word. Maybe we should call it "faith." Stepping out in faith to do what God calls us to do is often uncomfortable. It might mean speaking out when it’s easier to stay quiet, loving when it’s easier to ignore, or serving when it’s easier to focus on yourself. But living by faith requires trusting God to lead you into the unknown and uncomfortable for His glory.
An old professor once said that every leader in ministry has three options: you can be an undertaker, a caretaker, or a risk-taker. The undertaker watches things die; the caretaker does what’s needed to keep things comfortable; but the risk-taker does real ministry. They step into the mess, trusting God to do big things. And that’s not just true for ministry leaders; it’s true for everyone. Faith is risky because it often means stepping into the unknown, trusting God with the results.
The Importance of Being Led by Jesus
You can’t lead others to Jesus if you aren’t following Him yourself. Before you can help others imitate Christ, you need to make sure you’re being led by Him in every aspect of your life. Check the Fruit of the Spirit in your life—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Are you growing in these areas? Are you being transformed to look more like Jesus each day?
God has entrusted you with influence, whether you realize it or not. How are you using it? Are you pointing people to Christ by the way you live? Or are you letting the world dictate your actions? The people around you—your kids, your friends, your coworkers—are watching. The real question is, When they imitate you, are they getting closer to Jesus?
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chase Snyder
Pastor Chase is a Co-Pastor at FBC Loganville. He and his wife, Annie, and their two kids have been at FBC Loganville since 2017. His heart is to help people faithfully follow Jesus. Chase loves spending time with his family, being outdoors, drinking strong coffee, reading, and cheering on the Tennessee Volunteers.