Part II: Becoming More Christlike
In Part I we studied the theme, “We Are Christ’s Disciples.”
Our study in Part I concluded with the exhortation of the Apostle Peter that we should follow In Christ’s steps, that is, live as Jesus lived. (1 Pet. 2:21.) It is important to see that in interacting with the life of Jesus we learn to live life His way. Focusing on His life creates in us a desire to become Christlike. Let us consider how the following qualities about Jesus affect us:
1) Christ’s forceful authority.
Jesus spoke and acted with authority, not as the scribes and religious authorities, nor with tricks and showmanship, but with the demonstration of God's power which no one could dispute. He cast out demons, healed the sick, raised the dead and ultimately rose from the dead. Some say that those signs and wonders were just to prove His deity. Jesus didn't have to. True authority doesn't have to prove anything, it is simply self-evident.
2) Christ’s compassionate love.
In the face of human suffering, Jesus did not turn away. He was neither indifferent to nor overwhelmed by physically or mentally impaired people. His concern went beyond physical suffering. His heart was broken over the lost condition of man. He wept over Jerusalem. He was not too busy to notice common people and children. He refused the cultural prejudices and barriers of His time, treating outsiders with kindness and understanding. By His actions, Jesus demonstrated that people are more important than rules; He ate with unwashed hands and healed on the Sabbath. He was more interested in restoration than in condemnation. He associated mostly with common people and sinners, and made a point of doing so.
3) Christ’s servant attitude.
Jesus challenged His disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow Him. In contrast to self-importance, self-indulgence and self-preservation, He gave of Himself. In fact He was the most unselfish man who ever lived. We are challenged by His humility. He said He came not to be served but to serve, to give His life as a ransom for many and to lay down His life for the sheep. He told His disciples that they must likewise serve others.
4) Christ’s determination.
Perhaps the most striking thing about Jesus was His intensity. He kept His focus. He went to the cross, determined to fulfill His destiny, not swayed by temptation and not stopped by opposition. So too He calls us to complete our calling. He challenges us to put Him above all else, even family and friends.
5) Christ’s refreshing simplicity.
Jesus’ lifestyle was simple. He taught us simple trust in a Father who takes care of His children, as He does the birds of the air and the flowers of the field. He reduced the law down to simply loving God and loving others. What an intense, uncomplicated and wholehearted approach to life! Jesus Christ urges us to exercise what seems like foolhardy faith. He lived that way of life and lifted men above the useless negative thoughts and emotions that are the common lot of man. Reading about Christ's life and teaching encourages us to come to the Father with boldness and trust, believing that we have what we ask.
6) Christ’s absolute purity.
Jesus took righteousness seriously, without severity, superiority or legalism. He made it a matter of the heart. He courageously confronted those who made religion an occasion to congratulate themselves or a business to make money. He had no ambition in the political field and challenged those who were striving to be a success. Jesus would not compromise His standards, yet always He handled opposition with self-control. His unyielding firmness was not strict morality; in fact, He had more conflict with self-righteous people than any other group. His purity was real, not put-on.
Jesus Christ is more than an inspiring model for us to try to follow. Admiring Christ as a great prophet or teacher alone is inadequate because it is impossible to imitate Christ in our own strength. Imitation of Christ is not something we can achieve, nor an ideal we can reach. We grow in grace through the Word and the Spirit of God. Through reading and studying the Bible we learn more about spiritual things every day. The Holy Spirit is our helper. He enables and empowers us to understand and follow Christ.
—to be continued
Exalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.
Psalm 99:
(Adapted from the writings of Mark Asp.)
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