PSALM 25:4-5

Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.

Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Saviour, and my hope is in you all day long.

TO PONDER

When I was training to become a pastor, I often encountered resistance from others about the idea of Jesus being an example for us to follow. Granted, Jesus is so much more than just an example, he is also Lord, Messiah, Saviour, and Friend – but that doesn’t mean he is not still an example for us to follow also.

From time to time, you can come across people who claim to be “Christians” or “Followers of Jesus” and they sometimes make compelling arguments. Perhaps they take a traditionally ‘Christian’ stance on some kind of social or moral issue – marriage equality, or abortion and euthanasia just to name some of the big ones. That’s all well and good but the deeper question we have to ask is how do they treat those who disagree with them? 

This is where we most clearly see how closely someone is following Jesus and walking in his paths.

Jesus told his disciples to love one another but also to love their enemies and pray for those who persecute them. He told them to serve one another, and to care for the sick, the widow, and the foreigner. 

How do we say we are following Jesus when we complain about immigration and readily label people who simply disagree with us as ‘our enemies’.

Remember, while we were still sinners, still enemies of God, Christ died for us and gave himself up for us. He calls us to follow him – even in this – that’s what it means to walk in his ways and follow his path.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, thank you that you have shown us what life in this world can look like when it is lived in perfect unity and obedience with the Father. Empower me by your Holy Spirit to follow you more closely each day – Show me your ways Lord, teach me your paths. Amen

Today's devotion written by Mathew von Stanke, LifeWay Newcastle