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. |
