A Faith Worth Imitating

A couple years ago I discovered a radio program called “Stories of Great Christians”.  It's an audio drama that airs (in my area) on the Bible Broadcasting Network every day from 5:15 pm to 5:30 pm.  Each series tells the life-story of a well-known person in Christian history, over a period of weeks, usually based on a published biography.  I try to listen every day to keep up with the episodes.  I find the art form of radio drama very refreshing.  I am forced to use my imagination to envision the story, I have to wait in anticipation for the next episode, and I love the melodramatic organ interludes between scenes. (The series was produced in the 1940s!)

Not only entertaining, “Stories of Great Christians” has been a great inspiration to me!  I have learned so much from the lives of people such as the great preacher, Charles Spurgeon, missionary to India, Amy Carmichael, and founder of the Salvation Army, William Booth.  It is simply amazing how God worked through these people to accomplish His purposes!

As I think about what I have learned from these faithful men and women of God, I am reminded of Hebrews 13:7.  The English Standard Version renders it this way: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith.”

Secular culture has no shortage of individuals whom people idolize and seek to imitate.  As a Christian parent, I hope to encourage my children to imitate people of integrity and faith.  Of course, our ultimate example is Jesus.  We must seek always to be like Him.  But in 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul says, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." (NKJV)  God has given us role models to help point us to Him.

I am thankful for examples of Christian faith we can imitate.  Throughout my life I have had wonderful mentors in the faith- my parents, special friends, and so many in my church family.  And, of course, we have the examples of the Apostle Paul and other leaders in church history.

As we learn from the faith of our spiritual heroes, we must grow into the position of being a similar example for others.  These are three virtues I believe are the foundation to a life worth imitating:

1. Trust God in everything.
2. Obey God always.
3. Give God praise for all good things.

That may sound like a simple list, but I think it's a good guide for the traits we should seek in a mentor and strive for in our own lives.  My hope is that I will ever be more like Jesus, walking in the footsteps of those who have followed Him without wavering; but also, that someone will see in me a faith worth imitating.

---

"Stories of Great Christians" belongs to Moody Radio Archive. Some day, I think I will purchase MP3 files of all the available stories, found here: http://moodyaudio.com/store/archive/stories-great-christians.

To learn about other great programs on BBN, to find a station in your area, or to stream live broadcasts, visit http://www.bbnradio.org.