Wednesday, November 11, 2009

Following in Jesus' Steps... Looking Like Jesus

"For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His steps."
(1 Peter 2:21)

I so enjoyed my most recent reading of 1 Peter. I am was impressed, this time, with the beauty of the life that follows in Jesus' steps, that strives to "be holy as [God] is holy."

First off, God (speaking through Peter) reminds us of what we are...

  • Redeemed from-- our futile, sinful ways (1:18)
  • Redeemed by-- the precious blood of Christ (1:19)
  • Redeemed unto-- an incorruptible, undefiled, unfading inheritance in Christ (1:4) and holiness (1:15-16)
Imagine a life without any shred of
  • deceit
  • hypocrisy
  • malice
  • envy
  • slander
  • evil
  • revenge
Imagine a life characterized instead by
  • holiness (1:15-16)
  • spiritual maturity (2:2),
  • access to God through Jesus Christ (2:5)
  • light (2:9)
  • honorable conduct (2:12)
  • submission and obedience even to the unkind and unworthy (2:13-3:6)
  • love for others (2:17)
  • fear of God (2:17)
  • patient suffering for righteousness' sake (2:19-21)
  • respectfulness and purity (3:2)
  • gentleness [meekness] and quietness (3:4)
  • courage and trust (3:6)
  • consideration and kindness (3:7)
  • unity of mind
  • sympathy
  • brotherly love
  • tenderness of heart
  • humility of mind (3:8)
  • self-control (3:10)
  • and so on...
Get the picture? Isn't it beautiful? That is the kind of person I want to be, because that is the kind of person Jesus is. Instead of trying to live up to the world's standards, and be physically attractive and magnificently outstanding to the world... If I can but walk with God and be like Christ... then I shall not have to present to the Lord merely wood, hay, and stubble, but instead gold, silver, and precious stones. This is imperishable beauty (3:4). Let it be true of all of us!

3 comments:

Teddy said...

Melanie, that is just a fabutastically exiting post! Thank you dear for sharing and encouraging the rest of us!

Rebecca Ann said...

yes after seeing your first post on 1 peter this week I decided to re-read it and I am finding truths I remember and new truths to ponder that have really been helping me! thanks

Gaby said...
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