WEDNESDAY October 18, 2023
A Patterned Life
Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern.
Philippians 3:17
Through Paul’s teaching, the elders of the church of Ephesus became rooted and grounded in God’s Word. Paul’s life set an example they could follow. They patterned their lives after him, because he patterned his life after Christ: In doing so, they became great leaders in the church.
Paul and the believers in Ephesus had such an affection for one another. They all cried with Paul, knowing they would never see him again until they were reunited in heaven. They loved each other tremendously. These brethren followed the pattern of brotherly love as commanded by Christ: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34).
Are you obeying Jesus’ command to love people in the body of Christ? If you are unloving, you will push people away from Him. It is the love of God that draws the lost to Christ: “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Pattern your life after Christ––mirror to others the way He has loved you.
As with Paul, death will come to all of us one day. Perhaps, I will be preaching at the pulpit, and all of a sudden, I will dropped dead! Maybe I will die at home surrounded by my family. Whatever the case, I will have left and gone to be with the Lord. There will be a day when we all finish our race. Nobody lives forever in this world, but in heaven we do!
That is why I encourage and exhort you to follow in the footsteps of those who pattern their lives after Christ––those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. Who are you patterning your life after?
We have been adopted by the Lord as children with this understanding–that in our lives we should mirror Christ who is the bond of our adoption. And truly, unless we are devoted–even addicted–to righteousness, we will faithlessly abandon our Creator and disown Him as our Savior.
~John Calvin~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
