Imitation

Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God

III John 1:11 (KJV)

I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

I Corinthians 4:14-16 (KJV)

That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Hebrews 6:12 (KJV)

Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation

Hebrews 13:7 (KJV)

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

I Corinthians 11:1 (KJV)

For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.

John 13:15 (KJV)

The verses above encourage us to imitate some things. We are instructed to imitate that which is good. When something godly is done, we should strive to do such. Conversely, we are to avoid imitating those thing which are evil (that which is not approved by God). Paul encourages the Corinthians several times to imitate him, as he had previously taught them, and continued to teach them. However, he adds one restriction. They are only to imitate him in as much he imitates Christ. Paul, like all men, were fallible. Christ, however, is not. The Hebrew writer admonishes the reader to be imitators of those who receive Christ's promise of salvation. Which makes sense, really. If you want to be saved, follow in the footsteps of those are saved. Later in the book of Hebrews, the reader is encouraged to imitate the faith of elders. The last verse above is what was spoken by Christ after demonstrating humility and service to His apostles, and is His instruction to imitate Him in that way.

It is really quite simple: we are to imitate those godly things which are done by godly men, and most especially to imitate Christ. We are given many examples, first in scripture and also by godly brethren, of what we need to be doing.
On the other hand, the Bible also warns against imitating the wrong actions and the wrong people.

When thou art come into the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations.

Deuteronomy 18:9 (KJV)

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.

Hebrews 4:11 (KJV)

And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly;

II Peter 2:6 (KJV)

Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.

Jude 1:7 (KJV)

Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

I Corinthians 10:11 (KJV)

In the above verses, Israel is instructed not to imitate the nations around them, but to remain faithful to the Lord. As Christians, we also are to adhere to this concept. The Hebrew writer again provides an example for us: this time of those who were unfaithful to the Lord. This example, however, is not one we should imitate, but instead should strive to do the opposite. Sodom and Gomorrah, with all of their sin, immorality, and wickedness, is set as an example for us to avoid, lest we too be destroyed. The last verse, in I Corinthians, wraps up a section of scripture that provides many examples we should not imitate.

So the question is, who do you imitate in your life? What actions are displayed in your life? Whose footsteps do you follow? And in like manner, what example are you setting for others? Would imitating your life help someone follow Christ and receive eternal life? Or is the example you set a hindrance to others?

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

I Timothy 4:12-16 (KJV)