Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He
loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to
God. Ephesians 5:2 NLT
How do we follow the examples that Jesus left us? First, we will have
to know the things that He did and how He did them. For example, dying
on the cross, He prayed for the forgiveness of those who were
responsible for His crucifixion, asserting that they did not know what
they were doing. In this single example, He demonstrated to us what He
taught about loving those who hate us and blessing those who curse us.
In 1 Peter 2:21-23, we are told that Christ is our example, and we
should follow the examples that He left us. "For God called you to do
good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is
your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor
ever deceived anyone. He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor
threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God,
who always judges fairly."
So let's consider the examples that He left for us to follow. He
never deceived anyone; He did not retaliate when He was insulted; nor
did He threaten to use His divine power to revenge the injustice meted
to Him; He left His case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.
Are there chances that any or all of these things that happened to
Jesus Christ can happen to us? His response is, "If they did this to Me,
your master, they will do same to you." When the time comes when we are
treated as Christ was treated, our response must be in accordance with
the example that He left for us to follow after. This is how we are
daily being transformed into His likeness, and this how walk in
conformity with our calling as His followers.
Toni
