Be Guided by the Example of Christ

The meaning of life is defined by God’s purpose. There is no other way to view it. The timeless wisdom found in 2 Timothy 1:9-10 (NLT) states: “9 For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time–to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearance of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News.” God’s salvation and call to live a holy life cannot be earned through good deeds. They are bestowed upon us by God out of His grace and divine plan. This tells us everything we need to know about His unconditional love for us all.

This passage emphasizes the timeless nature of God’s plan. It existed “before the beginning of time,” indicating that God’s purposes are eternal and unchanging. Revelation 1:8 tells us that our God is Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. You and I don’t know how far back the beginning is, but we do know that whenever it was, God was there. And eons ago, His intention was to reveal His amazing grace and boundless love through Christ Jesus.

Hebrews 2:14-15 (NLT) states, “14 Because God’s children are human beings–made of flesh and blood–the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. 15 Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.”

Through the life, sacrifice, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God’s plan of salvation is fully revealed. Our Redeemer’s ministry on this earth and the infallible example of love he left for us is the pathway to life. His triumph over death assures believers of living an eternity with him, and it symbolizes his defeat of sin and death. He overcame every obstacle and adversity the enemy could ever attempt to put in our way. Because of Christ, we have a victory that can’t be challenged, but we must trust in this victory with all that we are.

Sadly, many are not trusting in the victory that Christ won for us through his sacrifice and resurrection. They are refusing to be guided by his example. Quite frankly, we can’t successfully navigate life without it. All of us understand that life is full of twists and turns, challenges and uncertainties, and it is easy to get lost. Sometimes, we might feel overwhelmed, confused, or unsure of which path to take. This is where the example of Christ can light the way for us.

The love, humility, endurance, forgiveness, and faith that Jesus demonstrated through his ministry and ultimately, his sacrifice, not only enrich us profoundly, but they transform us into the people God created us to be. James 4:8(NLT) states, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” As we draw near to our Heavenly Father through repentance, purification, and seeking His presence, He promises to draw near to us. This closeness is made possible through our commitment to live our lives through the love, humility, endurance, forgiveness, and faith that Jesus Christ embodied.

Recognizing our limitations is necessary to foster the humility that is pleasing to God. As humans, we’re fallible and limited in our understanding. We don’t have all the answers or know what the future holds. As followers of Christ, we must surrender to him and be guided by his example. Doing this firmly plants us on the path of God’s purpose, and gives us the confidence to navigate the twists and turns of life with confidence and grace.■

4TheChristianMan

Christian encouragement and inspiration for men

Be Guided by the Example of Christ

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