The Bible is clear about our calling to imitate Christ. The Apostle Paul, in nearly every letter he wrote, encourages believers to live lives that reflect the nature of Jesus. In Colossians 3, he gives a beautiful picture of what it looks like to abide in Christ, be transformed by His Spirit, and then live out that transformation by imitating Him.
In the first few verses of Colossians 3 (1-4), Paul reminds us that we are in Christ — He is our life. As believers, our identity is rooted in Him; everything else should revolve around that reality. Apart from Christ, we have nothing (John 14:6).
Then, in verses 5-11, Paul speaks of the ongoing transformation that happens through the Holy Spirit. This transformation involves putting to death our old, sinful ways and being renewed in the knowledge of God’s image. But this is not a one-time event. It’s a lifelong process — we are continually being shaped into the image of Christ.
So, as we talk about imitating Jesus in 2025, it’s important to remember that abiding and being transformed is not separate from this call to imitate. They all work together in harmony. Colossians 3:12-17
1. To Imitate Jesus Is to Become a Person of Love
Paul starts with love in verse 14: “And above all these, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.” Love is the essence of Jesus, and it must be the essence of those who follow Him. Everything — compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forgiveness — is held together by love.
You can’t truly be compassionate without love. You can’t forgive others without love. Love is the foundation. N.T. Wright, in his commentary on Colossians, points out, “The other virtues, pursued without love, become distorted and unbalanced.” To imitate Jesus means becoming a person of love — someone who loves God and loves others.
1 John 4:8 says, “God is love.” Jesus, as the perfect image of God, is love in action. If we are not becoming more loving, we are imitating the wrong person. You were created to imitate the one whose very nature is love.
2. To Imitate Jesus Is to Let His Peace Rule in Your Hearts
Verse 15 says, “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body.” The peace that Jesus had is available to you. It’s not a fleeting sense of calm but a deep, soul-rooted peace that governs your heart and life.
This peace is more than just a feeling; it’s a ruling force. The word “rule” here is kingdom language. It means that Christ’s peace is meant to govern your thoughts, actions, and attitudes, not just your circumstances. In a world full of chaos — politics, wars, conflicts — we are called to let the peace of Christ be the thing that reigns within us.
James K. A. Smith, in his book You Are What You Love, writes, “You will become what you give your attention and affection to.” If your attention and affection are given to the peace of Christ, that peace will shape how you live. And when Christ’s peace rules your heart, you’ll find freedom from anxiety, fear, and unrest. You will live with a peace that transcends the chaos around you.
Think about someone like Tim Keller, who passed away last year. Despite facing a terminal illness, he exhibited a peace that was unshaken. That peace came from Christ, and it shaped everything about his life — including how he faced death. When the peace of Christ rules your heart, you’ll love more deeply, be more patient, and show greater kindness.
3. To Imitate Jesus Is to Let the Word of Christ Dwell in You Richly in Community
Finally, Paul calls us to let the word of Christ “dwell in you richly” (verse 16). This isn’t just about personal Bible study or meditation — it’s about doing this in community. The early church gathered regularly to teach, encourage, and hold each other accountable. They shared their lives together, knowing that they couldn’t imitate Jesus on their own.
Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages us to “stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” This communal aspect of discipleship is vital. You can’t imitate Jesus by yourself — you need the community of believers to help you, challenge you, and support you along the way.
At Coggin, we want to be a place where God’s Word dwells richly among us — not just on Sundays, but in all our interactions. Whether in a D-group, a small group, or service opportunities, we want to foster a community that helps each of us live out the teachings of Christ in our everyday lives. The church is not just a place to go, but a community where we grow together.
Application
So, as we think about imitating Christ in 2025, let me ask: How will you imitate Jesus in your life this year? In your marriage, your friendships, your workplace? Imitating Jesus isn’t something that happens overnight; it’s a lifetime of practicing the habits of Jesus — prayer, scripture, solitude, generosity, community, and service. It requires the power of the Holy Spirit and the support of the body of Christ.
You will fail, but that’s why we need each other. Together, we can encourage one another to keep pursuing Christ-likeness, trusting that the Spirit will work in us to transform us into the image of Jesus.
As a church, what will it look like for us to imitate Jesus in 2025? How will we reflect Christ to the world around us? The new year is here, and it’s a perfect time to set goals. So, how will your goals this year reflect a desire to imitate Jesus more fully?
Let’s commit to being a people of love, letting Christ’s peace rule in our hearts, and allowing the Word of Christ to dwell richly among us in community. As we do, we’ll grow into the image of Jesus, and the world will take notice.
Let’s imitate Christ — together.
