They say imitation is the best form of flattery. My 3 year old, Norah, is very influential in my 1 year old, Declan's, life. Monkey see, monkey do certainly discribes some of his behavior. But Declan loves his big sister and certainly wants to be like her in many ways....from wearing her shoes, to imitating her behavior.
This is nothing new. We all have experienced that in some way....but this is the point 1 John is trying to make for us. "Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did." (1 John 2:6) We, as Christians, name ourselves after who we want to imitate....Christ. He is the example we hope to embody in our own lives.....hope to. Living like Jesus lived means loving like Jesus loved.
As a group we fail at this more than we succeed. The world is supposed to know us by our love (so the old song goes). BUT more and more, the world knows more about what Christians are against than what they stand for, or who they are called to represent....Christ. If we are to live our lives like Jesus lived, and love like Jesus loved....We might:
Love our enemies
Show compassion to the poor
feed the hungry
visit the prisoner
welcome the stranger/immigrant
show power in weakness (die to self)
What might your life look like if you lived and loved like Jesus?