Imitate Christ – The Father’s Chosen Son – Conclusion

Jesus’ entire ministry on earth up to His crucifixion was completed in submission to His Father’s will – He always did what pleased the Father (John 8:29). His baptism was Jesus’ public declaration that He was accepting His ministry and death on the cross, to which the Father gave a joyous response – “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy.” (Matthew 3:16-17; Mark 1: 10-11; Luke 3: 21-22).

As children of God we too please our Father when we submit to HIS will and obey His WORD. God delights in those who glorify His name before unbelievers and rewards us with abundant life – He becomes our all sufficiency and we want for nothing. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

In God’s dearly beloved Son, we have the perfect model for godly living – so we study Jesus’ commands to learn of Him and do as He says. Our daily lives must imitate Christ’s if we are to remain in the Father’s will and receive the reward of His pleasure.

Put God first –

• Our possessions or talents should not become idols. We must be mindful that everything we are and have are gifts from the Father and so our boast must be in Him only. “Don’t let the wise boast in their wisdom, or the powerful boast in their power, or the rich boast in their riches… those who wish to boast should boast in this alone: that they truly know me and understand that I am the Lord who demonstrates unfailing love and who brings justice and righteousness to the earth, and that I delight in these things. Jeremiah 9:23-24
• Jesus Himself acknowledged that He “…can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing.” John 5:19-20

Love God’s People –

• Jesus Christ was GOD in human flesh, but He set aside His Divine Privileges and Sovereignty to come to earth and save the lost. “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” Luke 19:10)
• The Father in His love sent the Son who in turn is sending His followers, the children of God. He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Mark 16:15.
• Let us then with meekness, humility and gentleness and not and attitude of arrogance, self-righteousness and pride seek out the lost and share the gospel of hope as the Savior commanded us to do. We too have received His grace. “…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

Maintain a Peaceful Attitude –

• With a peaceful and gentle spirit Jesus drew sinners of His day to Himself. Many became devoted disciples and followers. Jesus quietly endured torture and suffering – the man of sorrows and acquainted with grief was reviled and persecuted but remained meek before His persecutors, trusting His Father with the outcome. Don't you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly? Matthew 26:53
• By nature Jesus had authority to change His circumstances but He did and said nothing to jeopardize or change the outcome of His assignment here on earth. “…while being reviled, He did not revile in return; while suffering, He uttered no threats, but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges righteously…1 Peter 2:23
• Children of God should also have a quiet and gentle personality at all times. These characteristics are especially attractive to the soul in turmoil who are hungry for a restful place. Like Jesus we must be an oasis of comfort and encouragement for people in pain, even at the expense of our own hurt. “….as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3: 12

Cultivate Godly Friendships –

• Jesus carefully selected those who were His closest friends, not because they were perfect but because He knew they would love and support Him and His ministry unto death, His and theirs, even before they did. Except for Judas whose betrayal of Jesus was allowed to fulfill the scriptures – Jesus kept His disciples close. He mentored them, taught them what He knew and prayed for their safety and protection here on earth. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. John 13:1
• Children of God are a family and as Christian brothers and sisters we ought to be best friends to each other. As with our earthly families, we give support, comfort and encouragement to each other so we can all be our best in and through Christ and together prosper in the spirit and mature in holiness.
• Just as Jesus loved His friends with all their imperfections and flaws we must love each other. This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another….let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. We must believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and love one another... 1 John 3: 11-24

Daily we must resolve and commit to walk as Christ walked to ensure we continue in all things for and to the glory of God. Success is guaranteed if we depend fully on God’s grace and the power of His Holy Spirit, rather than our own wisdom.

Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, you are the Eternal and Living King. Thank you for sending your Son Jesus to be Savior of a lost and dying World. Thank you for your WORD which is your wisdom from above that is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, and without hypocrisy. Thank you Father for being our great reward and our exceeding great joy, no other can compare. In YOU we have all that we need. To you Father belong all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and ever. We pray and ask all things in the precious Name of Jesus Christ our LORD, the NAME above all names. Amen!

Always by God’s Word and prayer,

Cecile