I was reading scripture one day when one verse in particular caught my eye. "Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did." -1 John 2:6
Live as Jesus did. What a high, self-crucifying calling. One in which requires us to live in the spirit every second of every day.
Christians are so used to looking to the Son of God in admiration, but how often do we dare ourselves to live out His very example? This demands that we continually die to ourselves; our carnal, fleshly, selfish, bitter, tainted, passionate selves. It means that we go against our natural tendencies towards self-satisfaction and reward. This is what it is referring to in Luke 9:23 when Jesus states, "And he said to all, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.'"
Upon reading 1 John 2:6, I decided to make it a goal of mine to get to know the characteristics of Jesus as I continuously sift through the glory of His Word. May the traits that I see in Him become my own. My pastor made a great point: When Jesus got out of the boat and there were crowds, this is the moment that He should have been angry and exhausted if there ever was a time, but instead: "He had compassion on them and healed their sick" - Matthew 14:14. As Pastor Eric emphasized, oh how "His compassion is never exhausted."
Jesus preserved the holiness and purity of others, as we ought to. Jesus loved the church as if it was an extension of His own body, just as husbands are ordered to do for their wives. Jesus demonstrated humility through the act of washing His disciples' feet, just as wives are instructed to submit to their husbands. Jesus surrendered His will to God, even in the midst of praying that the cup of crucifixion be taken from Him. Jesus's life was an embodiment of the fruits of the spirit. Jesus led by serving. Oh Jesus. Wonderful counselor, wonderful friend. He showed that love covers all, even to the extent of His whole life being a living sacrifice. He healed and healed and taught and taught and loved and loved and died and died.
We must not only ask ourselves what Jesus did, but HOW He did it. He operated through the Holy Spirit, which is the only way that we have hope to combat these carnal, physical cravings. He went off to pray and speak with His Father. He fasted. He combatted the devil's lies with God's Truth. To do this, He had to meditate on the Word of God and know it in His heart so that it naturally flowed out in His life. Out of the heart, the mouth does indeed speak. What are we filling our hearts with, my friends? What are we allowing in? The seed grows into what it's rooted as.
The more I seek the Lord, the more I grow progressively disgusted with my own flesh, my earthly desires and tendencies. Yet, this awareness that God gives me through conviction and Jesus' very example allows me to challenge my character in a way that God can finish the Good work that He started in me.
Even if you have to put notes all around your room like I do, keep it on your heart to be a picture of Jesus. :)
"Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." -Philippians 1:27
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