The Imitation Game

 

I brought up an interesting thought in my last post. Imitating those around you to create a sense of Christianity. When children grow, they imitate everything around them. They watch those around them and imitate their body language, foul language, attitudes, sayings and patterns. They are very good imitators and repeaters especially when you don't want them to be. Most people follow the actions of others and rarely do they stray from the socially acceptable norms. This behavior is a part of our nature as it probably afforded good survival skills way back when we where hunter gatherers. Those that didn't repeat or imitate others were left to figure it out on their own, which could have led to death if not careful. Our ability to copy others has become an advantage as good outcomes are quickly rewarded by those following along.

Take social media for example, when one type of video or meme comes out, you see it everywhere as people try and capture part of the "look at me" craze. I've seen event venues that have ten doors into the place but everyone is clogged up at one entrance because no one wants to look stupid if the other doors are locked. If they aren't locked and you try it, then your a trend setter as everyone is now using the one you came in. It's that herd mentality and it stems from insecurities. No one wants to be left out or ignored so to fit in, people do what others are doing. If you don't flow their way your looked at as strange or odd and are not treated the same and even though people say they are inclusive, what they are really saying is that they include those that act like them. 

If you're a Democrat then you seek those with that kind of view. If your a Republican then you seek those that have those views. We advertise our views and our opinions all over too in order to attract like minded people. People love others that flow the way they are and the more the merrier because that reinforces their beliefs or ideas. No matter how wrong a group of people are, they will always seek out others with like mindedness so they can reinforce their ways. That's how cults form. Cults come from people gathering with the same mindset and reinforced by some sort of trendsetter/leader. 

It's our need for fitting in that gets us into flowing with people of sameness. We want to be wanted, needed and valued and we often can't find that amongst people with opposite ideals. With God living in us though, He can fulfill all those needs and then we will be able to walk to His drum beat instead of seeking others to walk with. 

Let's look at the Muslim faith, they are so strict with anyone that has one thought outside of Allah that they often keep people through threats. If a Muslim family learns of a family member coming to Jesus, they are either killed or ejected from that family and they treat that person as though they died. The church of Christ is less violent but are the same in thought and often deed. If a church member commits a terrible sin, they are often sent out of that church or shunned.

See, needing to be with the "in crowd" isn't all it is cracked up to be. I'm sure you are saying, what about Jesus wanting us to be like minded. Well, if our minds are fully under His control by our faith in Him then it is good. The fleshly need to be needed, seen and included by others is nothing but self in high gear. Again, social media has done a wonderful job at pointing out how we want validation through likes, comments and subscriptions. We need that in our flesh but in the Spirit He takes all that away and the need is gone. 

Imitation in the church can be deadly as we try to look like those around us. Dressing the same, saying the same Christian words and sayings, participating in the same activities and acting the same way. If someone draws a different conclusion than what the mainstream belief says, even though it's backed up by truth in scripture, that person is corrected by those with power so they can keep like mindedness alive and well. 

Imitation threatens relationship. Someone can act like they know what they are doing yet one inside it's a world of chaos and confusion as imitation can only show outwardly. As we lead people to Jesus, we encourage others to repeat after me and the "magic prayer" becomes lifeless and incapable of creating change in someone's heart. If they are thinking all I have to do is repeat a prayer to get into heaven, then they never get the fact that Christ lives in them. They never get full revelation of God's love and consequently never change. It happened to me when I was young. Repeat after me, your saved, have a nice life, yeah. That was about it and there's no wonder I grew up more lost than I was before I repeated a prayer. Prayer doesn't get you saved, coming to the realization and understanding your need for Christ does. When you quit trying to play follow the leader and start thinking, understanding and getting revelation independent of what others around you think, you open yourself up to relationship.

Independent research into God is often frowned upon because of one thing, lack of faith and fear. If we believed God could talk to each person individually and keep those who diligently seek Him on the correct path, then the problem is no  longer. However, church leaders who do not want to relinquish control will say it is to risky for everyone to come to Christ without guidance and doctrine.

Relationship is directly opposed to religion which is what most imitation is. Imitation is about following others who are set in their ways and are often immovable in those ways. Relationship is independent and personal. If we seek and knock, He will answer. Those who seek will find and those who find will be lead by His voice. My sheep know My voice and another they will not follow. The only one we are to imitate is Jesus. 

To God be the Glory!