Follow the Example of Christ (29 May 2016)

A Christian life is indeed challenging. For example, can we follow all the teachings of the Bible? The Bible tells us to love one another but it is not easy to love someone who treats us wrongly. When this happens, and knowing that we are His children, we can ask Him to help us. I have to pray and ask Him to give me the strength to do it. We can ask God to do even more, like loving our enemies. People will think this is indeed difficult. Again, we need much grace from Him. We have to listen to Him. His Word says “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ (1 Cor 11:1).

Sometimes, we feel like weak, lukewarm and empty Christians. In our walk each day, we may make mistakes or faults. However, as His children, we can come back to Him by repenting immediately. Repenting involves changing my attitude and be ready to walk right with Him. It is encouraging to know that my initial conversion is not simply one act but a life-long commitment.  The Christian journey is not a bed of roses. I need to ask God to help me to persist and to persevere in my walk with Him. Here is a word of encouragement to all of us. “Do not be hard on yourself. When you fail, admit it, pick up yourself. Trust in God and move forward”.

I also find the following helpful as I walk with Him.

1.  Read and do what the Bible says. James 1:22 “Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”  The Bible says that “All Scripture is inspired by God, and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness” 2 Tim 3:16.

2.  Allow God to change me. As a child of God, I cannot change myself, only God can through His Son. Ezekiel 36:26-27. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you. I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” I pray that God will help me to make a difference in the people I meet and in my daily routine.

3.  Set aside time for meaningful prayer. By God’s grace, I would like to pray for more people ie children, cousins, friends, enemies and family etc.  In Ephesians 1:16, Paul prays for a “Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation”.  By God’s  grace, I would like to pray everyday, bringing up petitions to Him and also praying that many would receive salvation through Christ.

4. Treat others kindly as you would like to be treated. I would like to do simple acts of kindness both in work and in the neighbourhood.  This is good as it will help me to get along with people and also maintain a good testimony for Christ.

 

Brother Eddy Oh