Mimicking God

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JESUS SPEAKING

“Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” (John 5: 19 – 23)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

In this scripture, Jesus proclaims that whatever He sees the Father doing, He also does, “in like manner.” Thus His life is a perfect reflection of God’s will in every situation. Those who desire to accomplish God’s will more perfectly, must seek to implement Christ’s teachings and to mimic His behaviors.

Although being a parent is a blessing, it is certainly not without difficulty. As parents we are tasked with teaching our children how to behave. Despite everything we might communicate to our children through words, they will inevitably learn more from observing our behaviors than they will from any book, television show, or video. And so if we want our children to grow up as Christians, we too must mimic Jesus Christ. When we live and walk as believers, our children will also.

As the only Son of God, Jesus never once sinned; nor did He succumb to any temptation; but rather, He accomplished God’s perfect will in every situation. Whatever He saw God doing, He also did Himself. Our duty today as Christians is to mimic Christ and to implement His teachings in every area of our lives. And if we do have children, then they will see Christ in us and strive to follow Him.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to live our lives devoid of sin and in perfect unity with Your will. Please convict our hearts and give us the discernment and the strength to be a reflection of Your Son. While we walk as Christians, may others see Jesus working in us and through us; and may they be drawn to Him. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

The Proof of Faith

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JESUS SPEAKING

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13: 34 – 33)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Before being betrayed and crucified, Jesus left His disciples with a new commandment; to love one another. In fact, according to Jesus, this manifestation of affection between believers proves the genuineness of an individual’s faith. And so this shared tenderness reveals to the world that we belong to Jesus Christ.

Concerning the discernment of authentic love, we read of an account in the old testament when two women were brought before king Solomon to settle a dispute. Both women were living in the same house, and both had given birth to newborn baby boys. At some point, one of the children was laid upon and died in the night. The first woman claimed that as she slept the other woman switched the babies, so that in the morning when she awoke she discovered the dead child laying in her bosom. She knew immediately that the child was not her baby. With both women claiming ownership of the child, Solomon devised a simple test to discover who the actual mother was. We read, ‘Then the king said, “Bring me a sword.” So they brought a sword before the king. And the king said, “Divide the living child in two, and give half to one, and half to the other.”‘ In response, one of the mothers was filled with compassion and responded saying, “O my lord, give her the living child, and by no means kill him!” (The other mother didn’t seek to stop the execution.) Only one woman was willing to relinquish ownership so that the child would live. This affection for the child proved who the real mother was. We read, ‘So the king answered and said, “Give the first woman the living child, and by no means kill him; she is his mother.”

In much the same way, there is a simple test which can be used to identify genuine followers of Jesus Christ. Only those who truly love their brothers and sisters in the Lord are faithful followers. May we treat our fellow Christians with a special measure of affection, as a testimony of our faith to the world.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we desire to love our fellow Christians with great enthusiasm and affection. Give us that hunger as we seek to serve other believers with “gladness and singleness of heart.” We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name. Amen.” God bless all of you!

One Father, One Teacher

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JESUS SPEAKING

“They love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, ‘Rabbi, Rabbi.’ But you, do not be called ‘Rabbi’; for One is your teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23: 6 – 12)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Jesus chastised the religious leaders for placing themselves between God and man; which enabled them to steal a measure of God’s glory for themselves. He then addressed His disciples, forbidding them from calling anyone on earth their Teacher/Rabbi; as He alone was their Teacher/Master. He also forbade them from calling anyone on earth their Father, because God alone was their Father; rendering them all brothers. Thus He seems to be establishing a singular hierarchy among the body of believers. Pointing others to Christ alone is the first obligation of every believer.

One man who thoroughly understood this principle of servant leadership and pointing others to Christ alone was named John the Baptist. When he saw Jesus He identified Him as the Messiah, saying, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” Some time later John’s followers approached him saying, “He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified—behold, He is baptizing, and all are coming to Him.” John replied, “He must increase and I must decrease.”

Like John, we must decrease so that Jesus can increase. Our most important obligation as believers is to point others toward Jesus Christ; our one True Teacher. He possesses all of the truth and He alone is the head of the Church. May we continually look to Him for guidance, direction, and discernment. May He live through us as we walk in the light of His leadership. (Note: This does not mean that the church must be entirely devoid of structure.)

“Lord Heavenly Father, we seek to serve You and to point others toward Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. May we never steal any of Your glory. Give us the strength to obey and the courage to do what’s right in Your eyes. We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things, according to Your will, in Jesus Christ’s name, amen.” God bless all of you!