The Example of Christ

1 Peter 1: 13-16

“13 Therefore prepare your minds for action; discipline yourselves; set all your hope on the grace that Jesus Christ will bring you when he is revealed. 14 Like obedient children, do not be conformed to the desires that you formerly had in ignorance. 15 Instead, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct; 16 for it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”

As Christians, we are called to be disciples of Christ.  Being a disciple means that we follow the teachings and the example of Christ.  In fact, we are to model our lives after the life of Christ.   

In order to do this we have to constantly study the life, the teachings, the sayings, and the miracles and actions of Christ.  It is good to know the entire Bible, but our primary example in all of the Bible is Christ.  

As disciples, we are to imitate Christ in the way we live, speak and act. We are to take off our old ways, our old habits, our old temperaments, our old ways of thinking and put on the life of Christ.

To do this takes a lot of prayer, study, worship, discipline and desire.  But we will still fall short if we rely solely on our own efforts.  As you pray and study and worship, invite the Holy Spirit to help conform you to the example of Christ.  

Your invitation will be accepted.

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier