Why should Christians imitate Christ? Let me give you three reasons that should drive you to your knees.

First, do it for your own sake. If you want a healthy soul—if you want to escape the sickness of sin and feel the vigor of growing grace—then let Jesus be your model. For your own happiness! If you want to drink the finest wine, if you want holy and joyful communion with Jesus, if you want to rise above the cares and troubles of this world, then walk as he walked.

Nothing—absolutely nothing—will speed you toward heaven like wearing the image of Jesus on your heart to rule all its motions. When the Holy Spirit enables you to walk in Christ's very footsteps, that is when you are most happy, most clearly known as a child of God. Peter following afar off was both unsafe and miserable. Don't be that Peter.

Second, do it for religion's sake. Ah! Poor Christianity, you have been sorely shot at by cruel enemies, but you have never been wounded half as badly by your foes as by your friends. Who made those wounds in the fair hand of Godliness? The professor of faith who wielded the dagger of hypocrisy. The pretender who enters the fold, nothing but a wolf in sheep's clothing, worries the flock more than the lion outside ever could. There is no weapon half as deadly as a Judas kiss. Inconsistent Christians injure the gospel more than all the sneering critics and infidels combined.

But here is the highest reason of all: imitate Christ for Christ's own sake. Christian, do you love your Savior? Is his name precious to you? Does his cause burn in your heart? Do you long to see the kingdoms of this world become his? Do you ache for him to be glorified? Are you desperate for souls to be won to him?

If so, then imitate Jesus. Be a living letter from Christ, known and read by all.