WEDNESDAY 13TH JAN., 2016

TOPIC: SEEK TO BE CHRISTLIKE
TEXT: 1 Peter 2:21 “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:”

At creation God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature…’ (Genesis 1:26). Clearly God’s intention for every one has always been to reflect His nature, His character, His purposes, His thoughts, and His ways, and if you want to know what that looks like, examine the life of Christ. Paul said, ‘Now He [Jesus] is the exact likeness of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible]; He is the Firstborn of all creation’ (Colossians 1:15 AMP). So your greatest goal, especially if you want to be used by God, must be Christ-like—ness. This means you should endeavour to handle situations as He did, and treat people the way He would. Apostle Peter writes, ‘for even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]…Christ…suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example…that you should follow in His footsteps’. Jesus is your example when it comes to these three things: 1) Suffering. When He was mistreated, instead of retaliating He responded with love, patience, and kindness. 2) Serving. He stooped to wash the feet of His disciples, then told them, ‘Now go and serve one another. Nothing should be beneath you’ (John 13:15-17). 3) Submitting. He said, ’…I carry out the will of the One who sent me, not My own will‘ (John 5:30). Here’s the good news: God will keep working on you–indeed; He’s committed to it——to bring you to the place where in every circumstance of life, you act the same way as Jesus. Be encouraged to look inwards by His grace to meditate on these three areas of seeking to be Christ like in laboring in Word and doctrine of Christ. (1 Tim 5:17) until these virtues become contagious in others.

MEDITATION: Matt: 16:24-25

STUDY THE BIBLE
LK 11:1-20/GEN 16/PSALM 13