Saturday, December 28, 2013

Walk or Live As Jesus Did

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6 NIV 

Walk like Jesus…live as Jesus did. He lived a life of obedience to His Father. You wouldn’t say that He was “obedient” to the Pharisees, but perhaps respectful in some ways. He allowed them to engage Him in conversation and yet He would not follow their legalistic habits. The Hebrew people were taught in Leviticus to keep the Sabbath day holy. For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You shall not do any work; it is a sabbath to the LORD in all your dwellings. Leviticus 23:3. But on the Sabbath when our compassionate Jesus healed a woman who had been sick (due to a demon) for eighteen years, He was severely criticized by the Pharisees. But the synagogue official, indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, began saying to the crowd in response, "There are six days in which work should be done; so come during them and get healed, and not on the Sabbath day." Luke 13:14. What would you have done if healing that woman had been within your power? Would you have laid hands on her and prayed for her to be released from the power of that demon? Jesus was compassionate. Do other people know you as “compassionate”? Obedience and compassion are character traits whose basis is deeply rooted in love. Love for the Father. Love for mankind. In your mind, is love symbolized by a heart or a cross?  

Training Tip – With your family talk about Jesus’ life—how He loved people and His Father. Read the scripture about walking like Jesus did (1 John 2:6) and what that means to us today. Have your children draw a symbol of love. Is it a heart or a cross?

Lord Jesus, we praise You for who You are…our creator, healer, savior and friend. Help us to be obedient and compassionate like You and to share you with others today and always.

All scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.
© 2013 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

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