A Pattern to Follow

Saturday, October 19, 2019

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.”

John 15:12–15

In Jesus’ time many people thought that they had the way to please God figured out. They scrupulously followed the traditions that had built up over the years, even though sometimes those traditions went directly against what God has said. They carefully cultivated an outward image of righteousness, and made sure everyone noticed when they did good deeds. Jesus exploded their self-righteous hypocrisy and exposed them for what they were: “Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27).

The way to God is not through our effort of trying to do right or trying to make others do right! Jesus provided a way to God through His sacrifice for our sins that changes our eternal destiny. But we are not just saved so that we get to go to Heaven. We are called to live in this world as Jesus did, following the example that He set for us. We are to love as He loved, to forgive as He forgave, to care as He was compassionate, and to take the Good News to others just as He did. This is the plan and calling of God on each of our lives. Mary Slade wrote:

Sweetly, Lord, have we heard Thee calling,
“Come, follow Me!”
And we see where Thy footprints falling
Lead us to Thee.
Footprints of Jesus that make the pathway glow;
We will follow the steps of Jesus where’er they go.

Today's Growth Principle: 

We cannot make a significant positive impact on the world without following the example of Jesus.