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Shelburne Free Press https://shelburnefreepress.ca/?p=5800 Export date: Fri Nov 22 10:23:13 2024 / +0000 GMT |
Seeking to be more like JesusTo what extent should a follower of Jesus Christ (“Christian”), seek to be more like Him? The interesting thing about this question is the varied response you get when it is asked. Answers range based upon an individual's personal level and willingness to commit to such an undertaking. Also involved, the level of understanding and beliefs a person has concerning who Jesus is. What we think and what we believe and what we say matters, because it impacts our actions which determine the outcomes in our life. In looking at this concept of seeking to be more like Jesus, what types of things should be included.? We have the obvious from Scripture: – Philippians 2:5, “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” – John 13:34-35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. {35} By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – 1 John 2:3-6, “We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. {4} The man who says, ‘I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. {5} But if anyone obeys his word, God´s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him: {6} Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” What does seeking to be more like Jesus, or “walking as Jesus did,” look like today? The Apostle Paul sums up the practical aspects of the love principle and really the humility principle as well in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. {5} It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. {6} Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. {7} It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. {8} Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.” What are some other aspects in Jesus´ life that it would be good for us to include in our own lives? It is not my intention to provide an exhaustive list in this article. In fact I will exclude, for the sake of space, many ideas I am sure you could easily list off the top of your head. My intention is to introduce to you briefly a couple of important ideas you might not have considered, for your further investigation. I would suggest to you in seeking to be more like Jesus, you might consider the importance of defining your God-given dream, goal, vision, mission, or purpose in life. When Jesus was twelve years old, Mary and Joseph made the assumption Jesus was part of the group travelling home from the Passover celebration in Jerusalem. Discovering he was missing after a days journey they turned back to search for him and when they finally found him in the temple with the religious leaders and scholars, Jesus response was, “Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I had to be here, dealing with the things of my Father?” (Luke 2:49 “The Message”). Jesus knew from an early age He had a mission and purpose in life. Throughout His ministry He moved with definiteness towards fulfilling that purpose. In seeking to be more like Jesus it is important we do not simply drift through life, but earnestly seek to discover what God is calling us to do in the fulfillment of our unique purpose in life. The second thing I would suggest you consider in seeking to be more like Jesus is, to not allow anyone or anything to discourage or distract you from living and being your best for God. You are personally responsible and accountable to be a faithful steward of everything God allows to be part of your life. Jesus never considered Himself a victim and neither should you. Jesus went to the cross of Calvary because He chose to. He would not allow anyone or anything to stop Him from completing His mission and purpose in life. He died a victor and rose from the grave as a victor. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:28-37, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. {29} For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. {30} And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. {31} What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? {32} He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all – how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? {33} Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. {34} Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died--more than that, who was raised to life--is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. {35} Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? {36} As it is written: ‘For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.' {37} No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” In seeking to be more like Jesus, look beyond the obvious to discover other things you can work on in your life so God´s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Rev. Bob McLellan Grace Church of the Nazarene, Shelburne Additional Note: On Sunday January 26, 2014 Rev. Bob McLellan accepted a four year pastoral extension from the local church leadership team in conjunction with a meeting of the presiding denominational. District Superintendent, Rev. Ian Fitzpatrick. JOY Center of Learning Resources for Building Lives www.JOYCenter.on.ca |
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Post date: 2014-01-29 16:44:57 Post date GMT: 2014-01-29 21:44:57 Post modified date: 2014-02-05 15:27:20 Post modified date GMT: 2014-02-05 20:27:20 |
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