I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you (John 13:15; NLT).
Introduction
This page uses Jesus’ own words to take us to the heart of his teaching and example, so we can focus on the purpose of our lives here on earth.
A. Christ’s teaching:
1. Love
– You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind, and all your strength (Mark 12:30; NLT).
– Love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31; NLT).
– Love your enemies (Luke 6:27; NLT).
– Do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:27; NLT).
– Bless those who curse you (Luke 6:28; NLT).
– Pray for those who hurt you (Luke 6:28; NLT).
2. Give
– Give to anyone who asks (Luke 6:30; NLT).
3. Lend
– Lend…without expecting to be repaid (Luke 6:35; NLT).
4. Forgive
– Forgive others and you will be forgiven (Luke 6:37; NLT).
5. Don’t judge
– Do not judge others, and you will not be judged (Luke 6:37; NLT).
6. Don’t condemn
– Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you (Luke 6:37; NLT).
7. Turn the other cheek
– If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also (Luke 6:29; NLT).
– When things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back (Luke 6:30; NLT).
8. Be compassionate
– Be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate (Luke 6:36; NLT).
B. Christ’s example:
As we have seen, Christ’s teaching was simple, clear and succinct. His life shows that he followed it himself, thus giving us his perfect example to follow:
– In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5; NIV).
– We live like Jesus here in this world (1 John 4:17; NLT).
– This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ (Ephesians 4:13; NLT).
C. Our purpose:
Our purpose on earth is to become more and more like Jesus until we are one with him:
– Everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him (Philippians 3:8-9; NLT).
– The person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him (1 Corinthians 6:17; NLT).
Becoming more like Christ
We become more like Christ by following his example, recognising his presence in everyone, and treating others just as we would treat him:
– Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us (Colossians 3:11; NLT).
– Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me (Matthew 25:40; NLT).
– Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me (Matthew 25:45; NLT).
Saint Paul
Saint Paul summarises all this very succinctly, when he writes that we are to:
– Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ (Ephesians 5:2; NLT).
Christ’s Holy Spirit
This could all feel very daunting. However, Jesus gives us his Holy Spirit as our constant Helper, Comforter and Counsellor:
– I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor-Counselor, Strengthener, Standby) will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him (the Holy Spirit) to you to be in close fellowship with you (John 16:7; AMP).
– When He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth [full and complete truth] (John 16:13; AMP).
– The Spirit [comes to us and] helps us in our weakness. We do not know what prayer to offer or how to offer it as we should, but the Spirit Himself [knows our need and at the right time] intercedes on our behalf with sighs and groaning too deep for words (Romans 8:26; AMP).
Jesus must wait
All we need to do is to ask humbly for this inestimable gift. However, until we are ready to do so, Jesus must wait. Even though he longs for us to turn to him, he does not use his power to force himself upon us:
– The LORD longs to be gracious to you (Isaiah 30:18; NIV).
– The LORD must wait for you to come to him so he can show you his love and compassion (Isaiah 30:18; NLT).
– Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends (Revelation 3:20; NLT).
Spiritual growth
Once we ask for, and receive, Christ’s Holy Spirit, a long, slow process of spiritual growth begins:
– The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-3; NLT).
The last word
As always, the final word must come from Christ himself:
– Do to others as you would like them to do to you (Luke 6:31; NLT).