For while we were yet weak, in due season Christ died for the ungodly. Rom. 5,6

 

Following Jesus

   The one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. 1 John 2:6

  
How did Jesus wander here on earth? He says Himself: «I am gentle and humble in heart.» (Mat. 11:29).
   He was not one who took the law into His own hands - but had laid it all in the hands of the Father. That is what
humble means, you see. In addition to this it is said about Ham: «Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end.» (John 13:1).
   So this is how Jesus wandered in this world! What the apostle speaks about here, and asks for, is
the mind of Christ. Paul speaks about it this way: «Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus.» (Phil. 2:5).
   Jesus is the believers ideal above all. But mark: He is the ideal for
the believers. Those who already are saved! That means - they shall not wander with Jesus as an ideal to be saved, but because they already are!
   But this affected humility vi kan come across, that says: No, I am to weak to live after the example of Jesus, therefore I can might as well let it be, and come as the helpless sinner I actually am! - It is just as false as the spirit it descends from! Jesus
is your ideal!
   That it is not a question of struggle under the law to get saved ,we can understand among other things, by the passage where Jesus asks the believers to take His yoke and burden upon them, which is easy and light. Right before this He said: «Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you
rest
!» (Mat. 11:28).
   They already are weary and heavy-laden, so His yoke and His burden have to be something that lightens - namely this, that the one who takes it on, is being carried by the Father, while He is allowed to wander in the liberty which is given us in Christ Jesus! (Gal. 2:4).
   Do you pray to wander in His footsteps to day or do your eyes look out for all other things?
   Let us consider this seriously on the first day of the new year!

E.K.

Holy Bible New American Standard Version
Translator: E.K.

 

 

1 jan.