SETTING THE PACE / Living life with an eternal perspective
I am currently preaching through the Gospel of John at First Baptist Church in Newcastle. As I have worked my way through this great book of the Bible, there are several things I have been challenged by in Jesus’ life, in particular the way He was with people.
Jesus was the master at dealing with all different types of people. Whether He was confronting, or comforting someone, He always did it perfectly.
As I have reflected on the person and work of Jesus, there are four ways I have been challenged to be like Jesus.
First, walk humbly. Jesus was the perfect example of walking in humility. He continually modeled selflessness as He served and ministered to all types of people. As the Scripture says, “Jesus emptied Himself and took on the form of a servant …. He came not to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom.”
If anyone deserved the royal treatment, it was Jesus, yet He continued to walk humbly and serve people, even those who were harshest to Him. The world needs to see Christians be like Jesus and walk humbly.
Second, respond wisely. I was recently preaching in John chapter 8, and there was a group of people who attempted to trap Jesus, while also destroying another person’s life. Instead of succumbing to the pressure of the moment, Jesus responded with perfect wisdom. Jesus did not take the bait and fall into the trap, and He managed both to confront His accusers and minister to the person who was hurting. He modeled how to use wisdom in a tense moment, as opposed to responding in a negative and fleshy way.
Christians are called to walk in wisdom, and if we do not have wisdom, we should ask for it from God who gives it generously.
Third, act compassionately. Time and time again, Jesus was moved with compassion. He did not see problems, He saw people. Because of His compassion, He would then act and minister to a person’s greatest need. Jesus touched the leper, healed the lame, opened the eyes of the blind, fed the hungry, but above all, He forgave the sins of those who repented.
Followers of Jesus should seek to be like Jesus, and see people through eyes of compassion.
Finally, speak truthfully. In John chapter 8, Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”
We must act with compassion, but must also be a people who speaks the truth. Jesus is the perfect model of this. He was the best at confronting people in love, while also calling them out of their sin.
When Jesus spoke to the woman caught in adultery, He said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go, and leave your life of sin.”
Jesus showed tremendous compassion, but was guided by the truth. Christians would be wise to follow this example. We must have a balance of grace and truth in our lives, and the best person to be like is Jesus.
This week, walk humbly, respond wisely, act compassionately, and speak truthfully. In short, be like Jesus. See you next week.
