Copying

We are rightly convinced that people grow in maturity by two means: the work of God by His Spirit and through the teaching of right doctrine. You should not expect lasting change without teaching right doctrine. The Bible continually reminds us that life and doctrine are intertwined.

But we often forget the impact of modeling. The apostle Paul implores the Corinthians to imitate him as he imitates Christ. To the Philippians he demands that what they have heard and seen in him they put into practice. And of course there are the many warnings against copying immorality.

Human beings regularly modify their behavior by copying those around them. I am sure that is one of the reasons for, and benefits of, being in fellowship with each other. It is therefore so important that we be aware that our actions have an important impact on others.

Who do we copy?

Since we do copy others, I’m interested in exploring who it is that we copy in our church settings. Of course it should be those in whom we see the work of Christ. But the literature and experience points in other directions as well.

Here is a summary:

• those with the loudest voices or most extraverted personalities; or those men with the deepest voices or the tallest.

• those who are well connected or influential in a wider setting. These include people who were significant in the establishment of the church (the historical leaders) , or helpful to congregation members in sport or commerce.

• clergy. By virtue of the position they hold, ministers are highly influential. In the absence of other factors, clergy set the tone and direction of a congregation.

• those who lead music, as music is such an emotionally charged activity in church life

• the person or people who were the human agents that led a person to Christ. This loyalty is normal and to be expected.

• those who have educational credentials are copied, even in fields that are not of their expertise.

Beware of unthoughtful copying

That we copy others is normal. That there are many factors that cause us to follow and copy others is also normal. But we must beware to ensure that we reflect on why we do things.

As an example of this, I was reading James 2 recently about showing favouritism. It seems in vv5-11 that James is talking to people who are somewhere between the rich and the poor. The problem is that the rich have been oppressing them, and what these people are in danger of doing to the poor is the same as what the rich have done to them.

I see this form of copying regularly. The copying that does to others what was done to us.

Sometimes the action we engage in is justified by our experience of it. In ethnic ministry it takes the form of “we were persecuted when we arrived in this country, and so we have the right to look down upon the migrants who are more recent than us”.

Sometimes the copying is extraordinarily helpful. I get into regular prayer and Bible reading habits because the person who first read the Bible with me was a person of the Word and prayer, or in ethnic ministry “I will love and serve people of other ethnic backgrounds because of the great generosity God has shown me in the love and concern of others”.

Copying is normal, and often a great Christian activity: but we must watch to ensure we are copying people of character and conviction; and ensure that as others copy us, they are copying things of virtue.

Feature photo: NZ Dave