Often as I write the newsletter, I’m pulling up an old one and just typing over it. And so I found myself thinking about what would be important for us to center on as we enter the new year and what came to mind is that we need to be like Jesus. I even had the scripture in mind, the one where Paul says be like me as I am like Christ. I pulled up June of this past year and what did I see as my article – Be Like Jesus. And there was the verse in which Paul told the church at Corinth, “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” I Corinthians 11:1. I even remembered writing the article and as I reread it, I still agree with it.
As I wrote in June, “What does it mean to “Be like Christ”? I think we can safely hang up our robes, but since it is summer you might want to wear your sandals. And Jesus came to save us from trying to follow each and every law or interpretation of the law, so you don’t need to carry around stones. In fact, on that account, even Jesus when he had the chance to throw a stone didn’t, and encouraged others also to not throw stones, but find forgiveness. In case you don’t remember that one, read John 8. To be like Jesus means more than following his dress and customs, it means to think and act as he would have. His attitudes need to be our attitudes. The way to learn this is to immerse ourselves in the gospels, not just Jesus’ teaching but how he lived. We may find that many of the ideas and attitudes we were raised with are not reflected in how Jesus lived. We tend to be judgmental of those who aren’t like us, but Jesus was open and receptive to these people. We seem to think the best way to influence our society for good is to pass laws making them obey, while Jesus first sought to win their heart.
To live like Jesus is radical, and uncomfortable. Truly living like Jesus will mean that you will often find yourself at odds with the people around you, out of step with popular media and ideas. But isn’t that what we are called to do? Paul said that we are not to let the world press us into its mold, in other words, the attitudes and ideas that are expressed around us. We are to have our minds transformed by what God would have us know and think. Many of you are thinking that I’m referring to the liberal media and folks on Wall Street. Read the gospels again. Who is Jesus most at odds with? When the church puts power and politics ahead of mercy and real faith, we are out of step with the one who really matters.
Go back to the verse we started with and read the verses leading up to Paul’s statement. From I Corinthians 10:23 on he is talking about how we should live our freedom in Christ, and it isn’t to please ourselves or to fit into what those around us want. We are to live in such a way to be Christ to those around us. Sometimes that will mean putting aside our attitudes and doing what is best for the other person. Sometimes the best we can do for the other person is to show them the example of Christ. In all things we are to show love and forgiveness, because that is how Christ lived.”
While I have preached on this often, I am still pulled to the message and the need to share it more. It seems as I look around the call for the church to be the church grows instead of shrinks. The world more than ever needs a Savior, needs Jesus to walk among us again, and the only way that will happen is if the church will return to her true calling. So here we go again, “Be like Christ”.
Don
As I wrote in June, “What does it mean to “Be like Christ”? I think we can safely hang up our robes, but since it is summer you might want to wear your sandals. And Jesus came to save us from trying to follow each and every law or interpretation of the law, so you don’t need to carry around stones. In fact, on that account, even Jesus when he had the chance to throw a stone didn’t, and encouraged others also to not throw stones, but find forgiveness. In case you don’t remember that one, read John 8. To be like Jesus means more than following his dress and customs, it means to think and act as he would have. His attitudes need to be our attitudes. The way to learn this is to immerse ourselves in the gospels, not just Jesus’ teaching but how he lived. We may find that many of the ideas and attitudes we were raised with are not reflected in how Jesus lived. We tend to be judgmental of those who aren’t like us, but Jesus was open and receptive to these people. We seem to think the best way to influence our society for good is to pass laws making them obey, while Jesus first sought to win their heart.
To live like Jesus is radical, and uncomfortable. Truly living like Jesus will mean that you will often find yourself at odds with the people around you, out of step with popular media and ideas. But isn’t that what we are called to do? Paul said that we are not to let the world press us into its mold, in other words, the attitudes and ideas that are expressed around us. We are to have our minds transformed by what God would have us know and think. Many of you are thinking that I’m referring to the liberal media and folks on Wall Street. Read the gospels again. Who is Jesus most at odds with? When the church puts power and politics ahead of mercy and real faith, we are out of step with the one who really matters.
Go back to the verse we started with and read the verses leading up to Paul’s statement. From I Corinthians 10:23 on he is talking about how we should live our freedom in Christ, and it isn’t to please ourselves or to fit into what those around us want. We are to live in such a way to be Christ to those around us. Sometimes that will mean putting aside our attitudes and doing what is best for the other person. Sometimes the best we can do for the other person is to show them the example of Christ. In all things we are to show love and forgiveness, because that is how Christ lived.”
While I have preached on this often, I am still pulled to the message and the need to share it more. It seems as I look around the call for the church to be the church grows instead of shrinks. The world more than ever needs a Savior, needs Jesus to walk among us again, and the only way that will happen is if the church will return to her true calling. So here we go again, “Be like Christ”.
Don
RSS Feed
