Vol. 18 No. 46 | November 21, 2016
When I glanced at the schedule, I saw that the text for this week comes from John 1:6 of chapter 2, and this came to my mind:
“Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”[1]
The tendency when reading this one verse is to focus more on the physical activity, “living as Jesus did”, than the condition of the heart. But there is more to it than simply changing some of your actions.
Eugene Peterson puts it this way as he summarizes his letter:
“If we want to deal with God the right way, we have to learn to love the right way. If we want to love the right way, we have to deal with God the right way. God and love can’t be separated.”[2] He carries this idea in his rendering of the passage: “Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived.”[3]
The examples of those who claim to be living like Jesus lived can vary dramatically. Politically speaking, one group claims that Jesus would exclude the weak, the needy, the helpless, and all who are different. He would send the immigrants back to where they came from. He would be proud of His status and His high standing in the social arena. He would withhold His blessings from anyone who could not carry his own load and perform all the requirements of the law. He would demand that members of His tribe be devoted to Him entirely and show no mercy on those who failed to live up to His expectations.
Another group would boast about their Jesus and declare His openness to all people; His inclusion of people from all nations; and His acceptance of people of all colors, all ages, all economic levels, and all gender identifications. He would love sacrificially and give generously. He would speak honestly and directly with the utmost gentleness and compassion.
Another group might claim that Jesus would dwell in the middle ground. He would be accepting, but also harsh. He would be gentle, but firm. He would be neither conservative nor liberal. He would stand up for the downtrodden and might speak disrespectfully of the wealthy and those who live extravagantly.
Another group might prefer a Jesus that lives simply, quietly, kindly, and gently. He would truly love all people, be giving, and lift up the fallen. His words would be consistent with His actions. When He spoke, you would know His words were true. If He made a promise, you would know that He would follow through with His promise.
Here are four things to consider as you respond to the challenge of living like Jesus:
First, read the gospels to get an accurate picture of the real Jesus. Do not depend on someone else to tell you how to live like Jesus. Let Jesus tell you how to live like Jesus.
Second, be prepared to make changes in your life. Even if you are already doing a decent job of living like Him, you will surely find ways to improve, which can sometimes result in uncomfortable adjustments.
Third, build in space for grace. Living like Jesus takes time. Living like Jesus will not always be easy or enjoyable.
Fourth, don’t give up. There will be times when you will want to quit. Don’t! If you keep moving toward living like Jesus, you will discover that all the effort and discomfort is more than worth it.
I recently rediscovered the song, “I Want to Live Like Jesus”, which can serve as a regular prayer to help you as you learn to live like Jesus
“Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”[4]
You can do this! I am here for you, so please let me know how I can help!
Tom
A Norvell Note © Copyright 2016. Tom Norvell. All Rights Reserved.
[1]The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), 1 Jn 2:6.
[2] Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005), 1 Jn.
[3] Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005), 1 Jn 2:6.
[4] Eugene H. Peterson, The Message: The Bible in Contemporary Language (Colorado Springs, CO: NavPress, 2005), 1 Jn 2:6.