Live as Jesus did
The apostle John writes,
“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.
The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” 1John 2:3-6.
As I read this the statement “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” jumped out at me. The question that arose in my mind is,
Are you living as Jesus did?
Jesus not only lived a pure life. Jesus associated with everyone irrespective of what they believed or their status in society. Jesus associated with prostitutes, Roman soldiers, tax collectors and sinners. Yes and even religious leaders.
Jesus never protested against anything. He never spoke against anyone outside his own faith. While he spoke to correct the religious leaders of his day he never spoke against secular Roman law or the governing secular authorities.
Jesus showed love to all. Thus the question becomes,
Are you loving as Jesus loved?
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
Jesus told his believers,
Are walking as Jesus walked?
Would someone of another faith or lifestyle or from another culture see the true Jesus in your life?
Would they truly see the unconditional love of Jesus reflected in your life.
Or would they say as Mahatma Gandhi said,
Please think about it.
The apostle John writes,
“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.
The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” 1John 2:3-6.
As I read this the statement “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” jumped out at me. The question that arose in my mind is,
Are you living as Jesus did?
Jesus not only lived a pure life. Jesus associated with everyone irrespective of what they believed or their status in society. Jesus associated with prostitutes, Roman soldiers, tax collectors and sinners. Yes and even religious leaders.
Jesus never protested against anything. He never spoke against anyone outside his own faith. While he spoke to correct the religious leaders of his day he never spoke against secular Roman law or the governing secular authorities.
Jesus showed love to all. Thus the question becomes,
Are you loving as Jesus loved?
Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40
Jesus told his believers,
“So in everything, do to others
what you would have them do to you,
for this sums up the Law and the Prophets”
Matthew 7:12
If you claim to be a Christian are you obeying the words of Jesus?Are walking as Jesus walked?
Would someone of another faith or lifestyle or from another culture see the true Jesus in your life?
Would they truly see the unconditional love of Jesus reflected in your life.
Or would they say as Mahatma Gandhi said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful,
but you Christians -
you are not like him.”
Mahatma GandhiPlease think about it.
