29th  OCTOBER 2023

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” – Ephesians 5:1-2

All mankind, not only the Christians, are called to follow in the footsteps of Christ in obedience and sacrifice. That is because Jesus Christ is a universal king, and the Scripture teaches that Christ died for the whole world.

I speculate that many cannot resonate with the concept of God dying for man, to redeem man from His sin. But therein lies the mystery of life and God. Everyone who seeks a union with God or wishes to be eternally bonded with Christ, must be completely broken and, first, become nothing. From our nothingness, we shall become something in Christ.

From His exalted position, Christ came down, lower than a slave, and crucified like a common criminal.  The Bible says Jesus was driven by His love for mankind – to redeem mankind from sin, so that we may gain eternal life. The fact is that Christ accepted crucifixion and followed through His suffering without complaint. He had one sole motive in mind; To lower Himself so that mankind might rise and ascend in peaceful reconciliation with our Father in Heaven. That same faith awaits each of us. We must individually come low to the ground, for others to rise. God has done it for us, it is our turn to do likewise for each other.

During this period, as we approach the end of the year, I want us to reflect upon the profound concept of the imitation of Christ. As believers, we are called to follow in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This means not only acknowledging His teachings but also embodying His character and imitating His actions in our daily lives. What is the significance of this call, and how can it transform our relationship with God and others?

In today’s reading, the apostle Paul urges believers to imitate God as beloved children. By walking in love, just as Christ loved us and sacrificed Himself for us, we become living testimonies of God’s grace and love.  Therefore, it follows that if Christ didn’t die for us, we wouldn’t understand that God is full of Grace and Love. To this you were called because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

In 1 Peter 2:21, Peter reminds us that we have been called to follow in the footsteps of Christ. Jesus’ suffering serves as an example for us to emulate, reminding us that our faith journey may involve hardships but ultimately leads to eternal glory.

What are the characteristics of Christ to emulate? That question is well answered in Philippians 2:5-8, wherein Paul states “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
 This passage highlights the humility and selflessness of Christ. As followers of Christ, we are called to adopt His mindset and serve others with humility, putting their needs before our own.

Another characteristic of Christ is Love appears in John 13:34-35, wherein the Bible says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”

Here, Jesus emphasizes the importance of love as the defining characteristic of His disciples. By imitating Christ’s love for others, we become living testimonies of His presence in our lives.

Imitation of Christ is not an easy venture but by the Grace of God. Christ lives in us giving us the power to overcome. (Galatians 2:20). When we imitate Christ, we experience a transformation where our old selves die, and Christ lives within us. Through faith in Him, we can live a life that reflects His love and grace.

Finally, we must recall that imitating Christ requires a transformation of our minds. We are called to reject the patterns of this world and align our thoughts with God’s will, allowing His transformative power to shape our lives.

As I conclude this message, I want you to understand that the imitation of Christ is not merely an intellectual exercise but a lifelong commitment to embody His love, humility, and selflessness. By imitating Christ, we become living testimonies of His grace and love, shining His light in a world that desperately needs it. May we continually seek His guidance and strength as we strive to follow in His footsteps?

PRAYER

Father in the name of Jesus Christ, I stand on your word today, and I declare I am delivered from bondages and every evil machination. Lord, speak life into me and fill me up with your spirit. AMEN

FURTHER READING: Matthew 5:16; Romans 12:2

THE IMITATION OF CHRIST: FOLLOWING IN HIS FOOTSTEPS

29th  OCTOBER 2023

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” – Ephesians 5:1-2

All mankind, not only the Christians, are called to follow in the footsteps of Christ in obedience and sacrifice. That is because Jesus Christ is a universal king, and the Scripture teaches that Christ died for the whole world.

I speculate that many cannot resonate with the concept of God dying for man, to redeem man from His sin. But therein lies the mystery of life and God. Everyone who seeks a union with God or wishes to be eternally bonded with Christ, must be completely broken and, first, become nothing. From our nothingness, we shall become something in Christ.

From His exalted position, Christ came down, lower than a slave, and crucified like a common criminal.  The Bible says Jesus was driven by His love for mankind – to redeem mankind from sin, so that we may gain eternal life. The fact is that Christ accepted crucifixion and followed through His suffering without complaint. He had one sole motive in mind; To lower Himself so that mankind might rise and ascend in peaceful reconciliation with our Father in Heaven. That same faith awaits each of us. We must individually come low to the ground, for others to rise. God has done it for us, it is our turn to do likewise for each other.

During this period, as we approach the end of the year, I want us to reflect upon the profound concept of the imitation of Christ. As believers, we are called to follow in the footsteps of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. This means not only acknowledging His teachings but also embodying His character and imitating His actions in our daily lives. What is the significance of this call, and how can it transform our relationship with God and others?

In today’s reading, the apostle Paul urges believers to imitate God as beloved children. By walking in love, just as Christ loved us and sacrificed Himself for us, we become living testimonies of God’s grace and love.  Therefore, it follows that if Christ didn’t die for us, we wouldn’t understand that God is full of Grace and Love. To this you were called because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

In 1 Peter 2:21, Peter reminds us that we have been called to follow in the footsteps of Christ. Jesus’ suffering serves as an example for us to emulate, reminding us that our faith journey may involve hardships but ultimately leads to eternal glory.

What are the characteristics of Christ to emulate? That question is well answered in Philippians 2:5-8, wherein Paul states “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
 This passage highlights the humility and selflessness of Christ. As followers of Christ, we are called to adopt His mindset and serve others with humility, putting their needs before our own.

Another characteristic of Christ is Love appears in John 13:34-35, wherein the Bible says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”

Here, Jesus emphasizes the importance of love as the defining characteristic of His disciples. By imitating Christ’s love for others, we become living testimonies of His presence in our lives.

Imitation of Christ is not an easy venture but by the Grace of God. Christ lives in us giving us the power to overcome. (Galatians 2:20). When we imitate Christ, we experience a transformation where our old selves die, and Christ lives within us. Through faith in Him, we can live a life that reflects His love and grace.

Finally, we must recall that imitating Christ requires a transformation of our minds. We are called to reject the patterns of this world and align our thoughts with God’s will, allowing His transformative power to shape our lives.

As I conclude this message, I want you to understand that the imitation of Christ is not merely an intellectual exercise but a lifelong commitment to embody His love, humility, and selflessness. By imitating Christ, we become living testimonies of His grace and love, shining His light in a world that desperately needs it. May we continually seek His guidance and strength as we strive to follow in His footsteps?

PRAYER

Father in the name of Jesus Christ, I stand on your word today, and I declare I am delivered from bondages and every evil machination. Lord, speak life into me and fill me up with your spirit. AMEN

FURTHER READING: Matthew 5:16; Romans 12:2