. . . to be like Jesus

In the time of artist and inventor Leonardo da Vinci, an experienced craftsman tutored young artists in his studio. They helped him by painting parts of large commissions. One day, Leonardo was given the task of painting an angel. When his mentor saw the astonishing beauty in that face, he quit painting forever. His student had surpassed all that he could teach him.

This happens in art and other disciplines. However, Jesus told His disciples that they cannot rise above the status of their teachers. He wanted them to realize that if He was mocked and scorned, they would suffer the same indignations.

“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul (name for the devil), how much more will they malign those of his household.” (Matthew 10:24–25)

This is also a warning that people should not fall for a Gospel that promises a bed of roses and lots of friends to those who accept Christ. Because He was ill-treated, even put to death, Christians cannot expect adoring popularity or even warm receptions. We will experience the same things as Jesus experienced.

Paul knew this was true. When he first went to Corinth, the Jews opposed and revile him. At this, Paul shook out his garments and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.” (Acts 18:6)

In my limited experience with those who reject the Gospel, I have a tendency to blame myself, and if not that, I am afraid of mistreatment and being unpopular. Paul may have felt some of that fear for the Bible records this visit from Jesus:

And the Lord said to Paul one night in a vision, “Do not be afraid, but go on speaking and do not be silent, for I am with you, and no one will attack you to harm you, for I have many in this city who are my people.” And he stayed a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them. (Acts 18:9–11)

The Lord put this man’s focus on others rather than his fears. That helped him as he served their needs. When I was young, my mother often said, “You are never truly happy unless you are serving others.” This annoyed me, a self-focused teenager who didn’t think about other people much at all, never mind serving them. Yet after Christ came into my life, I began to realize the truth of mom’s words. Looking out for ‘number one’ is a vain pursuit. God does not pour His love into me for that. He pours it in that I might pour it out to the world around me.

“. . . God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5)

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)

“Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another.” (1 Thessalonians 4:9)

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7)

Obviously, God wants my focus on others. This does not mean that I make excuses for their bad behavior, but that I understand their situation. I also know what it is like to do such things. Sin is powerful and cares only for “I want what I want when I want it” no matter who gets stepped on in the process.

Sin is a mighty foe and taskmaster. The only way to overcome it is by the transforming power of Jesus Christ. Paul was so filled with that understanding and power that he risked his life to tell others this good news. Sin has us all in its grip but Jesus can set us free.

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (John 8:36)

In Romans 6, Paul teaches about freedom in the sense that everyone serves something. We are either slaves to sin (by definition — slaves to selfishness) or slaves of God. I’m certain that this is part of the teaching he presented to the new Christians at Corinth as he shared with them the way God wanted them to live.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

Lord Jesus, these basics are always needed in my life. The enemy too easily turns my mind to me, myself, my stuff, etc. and away from the needs of those around me. His methods vary but his goal is constant — always trying to divert Your love to my greed rather than relying on You for my needs, especially the need to care for those around me. Help me listen to You and love others as You have loved me. You are always my greatest teacher, guide and source of strength!

Robbing the world of its power

We are vacationing on an island and noticing how island life in a hot climate affects us and the people who live here all the time. For one thing, heat and humidity dull ambition. They may also affect logic for we notice a few things that make little sense. 
 

For instance, in the heart of the largest city, there are almost no signs to tell you what street you are on, and a multitude of one-way streets that change to the other way at major intersections. 

This island is filled with signs of poverty, but also pride. Many houses are half-built or abandoned, yet 99% of the women are dressed like models. Clothes are definitely more important than a weed-free yard. 

Do these island priorities and values also dull the desire for God? We see many churches but less signs of godliness and biblical living.

The world at home is different. Our weather can kill you in the winter, so housing must be maintained. Many take pride in their ambition and so-called logical thinking, but this also can draw people away from God. Our lifestyle reflects increased wealth, but that easily interferes with genuine spirituality. We can be just as worldly as any islander.

The Bible speaks of the dangers of loving the world. It also defines what worldliness means…

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15–17)

I cannot love the beach more than I love my lawn, or think my priorities regarding spiritual matters makes me better than those who slave to keep their yards lush and their bank account full. I cannot desire a suntan, or nice clothes thinking this improves my status in life or makes me better than those who are pale-skinned and less well dressed. This too is worldly.

Yet God also commands me to live in this world as His child. I’m to obey Him rather than those desires of the flesh and eyes and the pride of life. In fact, obedience is my only option for overcoming the pull of the world.

For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:3–5)

Today’s devotional reading says that the world conquers me when it succeeds in hindering me from seeing, loving, holding communion with, and serving my Father, God. It doesn’t matter if it lures with me easy living or ambitious challenges. Anything that will stop me from drawing near to God, striving to be more like Jesus, thinking often about Him, and gladly doing His will can quickly become an enemy to my soul.

Instead, the Spirit of God challenges me to gain victory over the world by making it “serve me in the highest things.” That means I can use the world to give me a clearer vision of God, even a deeper love for Him and a joyful commitment to serve Him. As the devotional writer says, I win over the world when I make the world a ladder to lift me to God. 

When the world comes between me and God as an obscuring screen, it has conquered me. When the world comes between me and God as a transparent medium I have conquered it. To win victory is to put whatever is in the world beneath my feet, standing on it and letting it motivate me to reach to God that I might live out His love for those in it. This victory is as Jesus said,

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (John 15:12)

Worldliness is about comfort, power, impressing people, and thinking that having more money and stuff will make me a happier, better person. Worldliness also focuses on this live only instead of continually remembering that this life is so short, but what is done in obedience to God will last forever. 

In a place where “the living is easy” I can easily forget the eternal things. However, because of Jesus who lives in me and saves me from sin and the world, I can also forget the stuff of this world. There because there is no pressure here to have, obtain, or impress, so it is actually easier to think of eternal matters.

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Lord, my spiritual life is in Your hands, whether in this world or out of it. Help me to be obedient, for obedience overcomes the power of sin and any power the world might have to draw me away from You. Keep my heart focused on You, no matter where I am or what kind of pressures the world may put on me.