Paul wrote, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). It has been said that imitation is the highest form of flattery. We imitate others because they are like what we would like to be! So, do you want to be like Paul?
Paul gave up his previous life because he desired to “gain Christ” and have “the righteousness which is from God by faith” (Philippians 3:8-9).
Paul suffered greatly. He was beaten by the Romans on 3 different occasions, and by the Jews a total of 5 times. He suffered shipwreck 3 times. He was stoned. His journeys, with robbers, Jews and Gentiles, constituted great peril both on land and by sea. He lived a life of want, weariness, and sleeplessness, all to please his Lord. (2 Corinthians 11).
Perhaps above all, his rejection by “false brethren” (2 Corinthians 11:26,28) and those he had taught were the greatest disappointments of Paul. And yet, he still called upon others to “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
All that Paul gave up, and all that he suffered, he said was to “attain to the resurrection from the dead” (Philippians 3:11). So, it was worth it to him. Is it worth it to you as well? Are you willing to suffer hardship and rejection? Are your efforts designed to secure for you a spiritual reward rather than a physical one? Will you, “Imitate [Paul] just as [he] also [imitates] Christ”?
