Tag: imitating Jesus

Follow Christ Alone

~ servantone1 ~ Leave a comment

JESUS SPEAKING

“Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher.” (Luke 6: 39 – 40)

FAITHFUL THOUGHTS

Jesus is the only one who can see clearly enough to guide others into an eternal relationship with God. Those who respond to the Gospel are committing their lives to the implementation of Christ’s teachings. We are obligated to abandon any other teachers, guides, or mentors that oppose Christ’s will (keeping in mind that many new believers can benefit from a relationship with an elder.) Those who are faithful will repent and undergo a process known as sanctification. A process through which God’s Spirit will mold them into the image of Jesus Christ. In all things we must avoid following blind guides and deceptive human wisdom.

Many years ago I met a blind couple. Much to my surprise they expressed a fondness for going to see movies (which I thought was interesting.) They really enjoyed the dialogue, the sounds, and the music. I began picking them up regularly and accompanying them to the theater. As we walked they would trail behind me; holding onto my arm or my hand. As I guided them up stares, through doorways, and around corners, I would warn them of impending obstacles and potential hazards. Upon returning to their home, I would read their mail for them and make certain their house was properly cleaned and in order. Needless to say, they trusted me completely because I could see and they could not.

Jesus Christ is the only pathway to fellowship with God. He is the only one who can truly see. And so He alone is our teacher, mentor, and guide. We must therefore carefully follow His example, as outlined in scripture. If we seek to follow and be led by any other person, then we have failed in our efforts to accomplish God’s will; for although men will always fail, God never will (NOTE: As we imitate Jesus, many will observe our behavior and be drawn to Him. So we have an obligation to be an example to others; but we must always point them back toward Jesus Christ.) May we cling to our eternal teacher and hear His words. May we make every effort to imitate our Lord in all things, and to avoid following blind teachers.

“Lord Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your divine wisdom and guidance. We yearn to accomplish Your will and to follow Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. May we strive to implement His teachings in every area of our lives. Keep us safe, that we might refrain from following blind guides who are seeking to put themselves in the place of our Messiah. 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!

You are called to be a disciple

~ servantone1

JESUS SPEAKING

           “A disciple is not above his master (teacher), but everyone who is properly taught will be like his master” (Luke 6: 40.)

INSPIRED THOUGHTS

          God is called ‘the most high,’ because elevation has always been how human beings distinguish between the valuable and the invaluable.  People honor things by lifting them up.  In ancient times, when a king stepped down on level ground with a group of his subjects, those subjects would lower themselves beneath him; many would bow, others would kneel.  If the king was a child, then his subjects would sprawl out face first on the ground to make sure the king stood above them.  The teacher and student relationship is quite similar (as Jesus said, “A disciple is not above his teacher”) The disciple, or student, must realize his or her lack of knowledge (they lower themselves); the teacher then becomes the superior source of necessary information (they are lifted up.)  In exchange for their humility and ability to learn, the disciples were promised that they would become like Jesus.  Anyone who lacked this type of humility could not be a follower of Jesus then, and cannot be his follower today.  A person who believes they have a better way, or who desires to learn from sources other than the Lord, cannot be properly taught.

        A long time ago, I was caught in a dilemma…I remember calling up a friend for advice on a situation that had made me absolutely furious.  In the middle of the conversation she said, “What would Jesus do?”  I tried to shrug it off, and replied something like, “Well, he’s Jesus, I can’t be like him.”  The question cut deep in to me; the answer to how to react to the situation wasn’t debatable; rather, it had a face, and a name, and that name was Jesus Christ.  I was not called to behave in my own way, but to behave just like him.  After all, a disciple is someone who is a student and follower of their teacher.  My teacher and master was, and is Jesus Christ.  If I desired to be properly taught (a disciple), I knew I needed to be completely submitted to him.

          You as well are called to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.  How does that process begin for you?  First, you must humble yourself and lift him up.  Jesus Christ must become the moral authority in your life.  Get rid of any competing teachers, and make his words the foundation upon which your life and your actions are built.  Daily gospel reading is essential.  Commit some of your time daily to the study of his words.  The gospels of Mathew, Mark, Luke, John, and the book of Revelation contain his spoken words, and descriptions of his behavior; only by knowing your teacher can you be properly taught; only by humbling yourself before the living God can you become his disciple.

          “Lord Heavenly Father, we come before You now and ask to become Your disciples.  We lift up Your Son and we ask that He become our teacher.  Jesus, speak to us, and to our hearts, and mold us and shape us in to Your image.  Remind us of all of the words that You have spoken, and fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we may minister to all those You place in our way.  We love You Father, we praise You, and we thank You, and we ask and pray all of these things in Jesus Christ’s name.  Amen.”  God bless all of you.