The Perfect Example
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.
Psalm 1:3
Humans are very impressionable. We all pattern our life after someone whether we want to admit it, or perhaps even realize it. The problem is we often pattern after the wrong persons. As Christians there is one life we should all pattern after – Jesus. It’s the calling of every Christian to pattern his or her life after Jesus Christ, not just in belief, but in practice. St. Paul puts it like this, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Phil. 1:21).
When we claim the name “Christian”, what we are saying is that we are a “Little Christ”, that’s the actual definition of the word. I don’t know about you, but I often feel as though I fail to live up to that name. So, just what does it take to live up to the pattern of Christ?
The Psalms hold the answers to our questions when it comes to living a Christ like life. In Psalm 1, we read about a man who is blessed. The man is blessed because he lives in relationship with Lord God. He exhibits his life in three very important ways that each of us can and must strive to emulate, if we are to live as Christ.
First: The man lives in such a way as to not listen to the advice of the ungodly, and doesn’t join in to the ways of sinners (Vs. 1).
Second: The man is hungry for the truth of God (Vs. 2).
Third: By virtue of the first two, the man lives a steadfast, virtuous life (Vs. 3).
Who is that man? He is Jesus Christ, and he is you and me when we live our lives in faith, surrendered to His leading. He is the one in whom we can trust without reservation, the one who will never fail us or forsake us, the one who has promised to keep us from falling (Jude 24). He is our perfect example.
If we live for Jesus Christ, with Him, in Him, and through Him, we too are that blessed man.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Brad
image credit: http://bestofpicture.com/psalm-113.html
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