(Note: I wrote this almost a year ago as my dear friend, Craig Wray, had just succumbed to his cancer. As the anniversary date of his death approaches, he has been on my mind quite a bit. I just recorded a video for our Bible investigation in which we attempt to answer the question about how a Christian is to count it joy when he/she goes through trials, such as cancer. Craig exemplified this mindset. I wish you all could have known him. As we get closer to thanksgiving, I will put the text I read from Craig in that video here in the bulletin. It is my hope that by continuing to tell his story, others will continue to be led to Christ and a closer walk with Jesus. I miss my friend, but am forever thankful for his example!)
They say that imitation is the highest form of flattery. Sometimes imitated behavior can be ill advised. Other times behavior that is imitated is to the imitators’ benefit. Whether the behavior is ill-advised or beneficial must be determined in light of the principles set forth by the standard of the gospel of Christ. Four times in the New Testament, we are instructed that Christians should imitate those behaviors that lend themselves to following after Christ. Paul urges the Corinthians to “imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Corinthians 4:16, 11:1). The Hebrews writer instructs that we should not become “sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises” (Hebrews 6:12). John says, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God” (3 John 11).
We have watched a man over the past sixteen or so months exemplify the previously mentioned verses. Through Craig’s fight with cancer, even when we knew he wasn’t feeling well, he continued to point to Christ. There were times I know we would not have blamed him for staying home because he wasn’t feeling well, and yet, if at all possible, he was going to be here. Craig continued to invite people to attend worship with him right on through our recent gospel meeting.
We have a mission: that is to take as many souls as we can with us to heaven. In that mission, we just lost a tremendous soldier of the Cross. However, that soldier, Craig Wray, has given us an example that we can follow in this fight as we run the Christian race. Craig echoed Paul’s message to the Corinthians… “imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” We will keep fighting just as you fought. We will keep running just as you ran. We will imitate Christ just as you did. Rest, my dear friend, rest. I’ll see you later.
-Josh Romo
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