Impersonator Impact

Christianity is not something you become in one day, it is a lifestyle; it is about becoming like Christ, doing what He would do, having His mind on the matter at hand.

You are now living a brand new kind of life that is continually learning more
and more of what is right, and trying constantly to be more and more like Christ
who created this new life within you. ~ Colossians 3:10

Paul writes to the Christians in Colossia, then again to the Hebrews, reminding them that the Christian life is all about being like Christ.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ~ Hebrews 12:1-2

This presents a challenge, it means being different from the world. Here are two main areas in which we are called to imitate Christ.

1. He lived a holy life. Even though Jesus was surrounded by sinners, He remained sinless. He did not conform to the world (Romans 12:2), rather He lived a set of higher standards.

2. He lived a life of obedience to the will of the Father. In the latter part of His life Jesus was surrounded by crowds on a daily basis, yet He did not let them distract Him from the will of the Father. He kept God in focus. This is opposite from the focus of the world, self. Instead of saying, “I won’t do this” Jesus prayed “not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

So, as Jesus was holy and constantly in the will of the Father, so we too must live holy lives and do the “good, pleasing and perfect” will of the Father. How do we do this?

Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty. ~ Zechariah 4:6

Yes, it is true, we can’t do this on our own. But guess what, God has supplied us the means to do so. He has given us, believers in Him, His Spirit to dwell inside of us. This is the Spirit of Truth who impowers us to do the works of God and live according to His will.

By impersonating these characteristics of Jesus, Jesus Himself will be revealed through us to all those around us. They will see the Jesus is alive and that he lives in us. Let us be an influence to the world and not the world an influence to us. Let us impact our society for Jesus and the sake of the gospel. Let us receive this higher calling and become Impersonators of Christ!

Impersonator is a word that has pre-existing meanings, following is a clarification on what I mean by “Impersonator of Christ/to impersonate Christ.”

And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Colossians 3:10

This was my inspiration for this blog. Christ is our example in life and death. It is Him we follow. We need to live as He did. WWJD, right? The Christian life is not just a one time change of the heart, it is a lifestyle. We need to choose to become like Christ. However there is another verse we need to look at:

So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty. ~ Zechariah 4:6

We are not doing this by our own strength. It is the power of the Holy Spirit that works within us to reshape us into the people God designed us to be. Our part is to let the Holy Spirit do His work and not hinder Him. So in reality “impersonating Christ” is not something done by our own will, it is a product of the Holy Spirit’s Power working in us.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and
ever! Amen. ~ Ephesians 3:20-21

Now for a concise definition (To be used on this Blog): An Impersonator of Christ is someone who gives the Holy Spirit full control of his/her life that He may transform him/her into His image, and lives accordingly.

Being considered a “good teen” only requires that we don’t do “bad stuff” like taking drugs, drinking, and wild partying. But is it enough to be known for what we don’t do, or should we be known for what we do?

An education expert recently observed that the current ceiling for students is much closer to where the floor ought to be. The very most our culture expects of us is that we don’t take drugs, drink, or sleep around — but that’s the very least God expects from us. We are told to let our light shine before men that they may see our good works and give glory to God (Matthew 5:16) and that by our love all men will know that we follow Christ (John 13:35).

We need to be know for what we do, not just what we don’t do!

Read the whole article at:
http://www.therebelution.com/blog/2007/07/known-for-what-we-do/