To be like Jesus 1

“Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.” John 10 v17-18 AKJV

In the face of adversity, Jesus new that to put trust in God, his father, would be always the right choice. That trust came with the confidence of living a life of being obedient and following all the commandments of God, his father. He knew that from the beginning there was a plan for his life which could be inclusive of all others but left to their decision.

All life comes with a purpose, even a divine purpose. It also comes with a choice and that choice begins with choosing by faith to believe in God and his son, Jesus.

“And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazereth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favor with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end.” Luke 1 v26-33 AKJV

Thus, we celebrate Christmas.

To be like Christ, Jesus, is to be called Christian. Where do we go with that? What does it mean? For me, it has a beginning, by faith, with no end because it leads into an eternity with him. Until then, a lot of things influence our daily decisions and the development of our character as a people. That makes life come to reality along with who we are come to reality as well. Others before us have sought to understand the questions above, and have made solid choices. As they knew of Jesus, they taught his ways and lived them out before others. Now, many are called Christian.

“And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christian first in Antioch.” Acts 11 v26 AKJV

So many scriptures come to mind as the new year begins and resolutions are made to work in areas of our lives that we see evidence of the need to change. Many will seek to change the physical-healthy side of life, others may seek to change their financial situation, and there is the spiritual side of life that awaits our daily decisions as well.

To be like Jesus I believe we must know who he is.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Mathew 11 v28-30 AKJV

For hundreds of years, God’s way has been passed on from generation to generation, and will continue to be so.

“Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days. or even in the days of your fathers? Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.” Joel 1 v2,3 AKJV

To be like Jesus… we must know of him, and even closer we must know him. Life comes, and it is our prayer this year that we do learn of Christ. As some disciples traveled with Jesus, he brought the deeper questions of heart that he knew made a difference.

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesara Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying,

Whom do men say that I the Son of Man am?

And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them,

But who say ye that I am?

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Mathew 15 v13-16 AKJV

Throughout our Holy Scriptures is the constant testimonials and direction of living and knowing Christ Jesus, and having a right relationship to God. Even Christ himself acknowledged in the verses above the commandment had been received of his Father, God.

Many, many scriptures will come this year that can guide us in our daily living if we choose to let them. To be a Christian is to be like Jesus through the good times and the tough ones as well. Some straight forward direction comes as help to us…

“My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For the length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add unto thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3 v1-5 AKJV

“Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.” Exodus 20 v12 AKJV

To be like Jesus…

“…Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day. And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.” Luke 24 v46-49 AKJV

Lord, it seems a lot I have written or shared a lot that was already written. Let this beginning of a new day and a new year bring us to a better and closer relationship to you and to others. We know there is a lot more that we can learn of daily. Let us begin our day and our every move with prayer in asking your guidance of how we live. Let us give you all the honor and praise and glory. Amen

January 1st. Amen