Like Jesus

When we call ourselves Christians, or followers of Jesus, or believers, this tells people something about us. Some may interpret it to mean you are a safe and loving person, but others may assume you are judgmental and unwelcoming. To be a Christian very literally means to be like Jesus in the way He lived His life here on earth. All four gospels make this abundantly clear by including a similar verse at the end of each account of Jesus’ life: “As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” (John 20:21 ESV)

At its core, to be a follower of Jesus is to be transformed and then sent by God into this world, following the example Jesus set for us. Growing up, I was repeatedly taught that being a Christian simply meant I had accepted Jesus' free gift of salvation and had an eternal home in heaven. This is totally true but doesn’t capture the whole picture of what it means to truly follow Jesus. Scripture is really clear that if we really believe something, it will actually change the way we live our lives (James 2:14-17). James speaks to this directly when he writes that true religion (true belief in God or being a real follower) is “...to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.” (James 1:27 ESV) 

Being a Christian is to live life like Jesus did, to care for those our world and culture overlooks, to stop judging based on wealth or status (James 2:1-13), to truly love God, and to love those around us (Matthew 22:34-40). I don’t know about you, but I need the reminder daily that I am here on this earth, on this day, for a reason. God sent me here, just as He sent Jesus, not for my own gain, not for my own happiness, but to bring God’s love, joy, and peace to a world in desperate need of our Savior. 

Praying for each of you that you would live today and the following days with purpose, knowing God has sent you to be His hands and feet.

God Bless.

Josiah