Title: People Who Exemplified Faith
those who set an example of faith
Text: 1 Peter 2:21
“To this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.”
If a sea crab trains its young to walk forward by walking sideways, will the baby crabs be able to walk right away? You can never do that. There is only one reason. Because their parents did not set the right example. The nagging of parents who do not match their words and actions is the best educational method to ruin their children. Children do not grow up because of their parents' nagging, but by watching their parents' lives behind their backs.
There are many differences between Jesus and the Pharisees, but the most important is the agreement and inconsistency of words and deeds. The Pharisees looked very pious on the outside, but inside they were rotten. But Jesus lived a life that was 100% consistent with what he taught. In the life of Jesus, there is no sinful appearance apart from His teachings. Therefore, the teachings of Jesus are of course authoritative. Authoritative teaching has the power to change people. Like Jesus, we need to be people who can teach us how to live by example by doing.
“I set an example that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15).
The Apostle Paul also said:
“Therefore I urge you to become imitators of me” (1 Corinthians 4:16).
“Be imitators of me, just as I have been imitators of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1).
In the book of Ruth 1:16-17, Ruth said, "Do not compel me to turn away from you and not follow you and return. Wherever you go, I will go, and where you are, I will stay. Your people are my people. And your God will be my God, and where you die, I will die and be buried there. .
Although Naomi is a poor woman who has lost her husband and two sons and has no possessions, Ruth confesses that she will worship the God of her mother-in-law Naomi as her God for the rest of her life. This is because, through Naomi's religious life, Ruth was able to know and believe in God.
In the Bible, there are many examples of people who set an example for perseverance in the midst of suffering. Representative figures include Job, Joseph, and Daniel.
“Brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of suffering and long-suffering” (James 5:10).
Every Christian, through his daily life, can make other people feel Christianity friendly or even hostile. “The unsatisfying life of Christians in the clergy is a major flaw in the church today,” Shepard said.
There was a girl who had experience working on a farm during the war. The girl considered her faith as obsolete and useless. But the farmer and his wife were true Christians, and they let the girl know what Christianity was, and she eventually became a Christian. The girl said:
"It was very difficult. I read the Bible and I don't know what it means. And I don't know how to pray. There are a lot of things in Christianity that I don't understand. But I don't worry about any of it. I think you can do it.”
It was through a true Christian that the girl came to God and the Christian faith. People become Christians because they see the Christian life, rather than become members because they can understand Christian theology. This fact places a great responsibility on Christians. Every Christian is a public arena for his faith.
The Bible says
“In the same way, let your light shine on men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35).
We must shed light on the world through the way we live. In particular, we must show God's love through the image of love between brothers of faith.
Above all, we must live by imitating the heart of the Lord.
“Therefore, as beloved children, become imitators of God” (Ephesians 5:1).
“Have this mind in you, which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as robbery, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human form, and being found in human form, humbled him and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of a cross” (Philippians 2:5-8).
“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest” (Matthew 11:29).
It is our life to imitate the Lord and follow in the footsteps of Jesus. Jesus set a perfect example for us. There is no need to think of imitating others. The footsteps of Jesus are the footsteps toward heaven, the path that God is pleased with, and the milestone of those who walk the pilgrim path of this world. We also believe that we need the determination and determination to find the footsteps of Jesus and follow him. As we watch Jesus go toward the city of Jerusalem to bear the cross, the final goal, let us become the saints who imitate Jesus today and tomorrow.
* Prayer: God of love, in the future, let us imitate Jesus Christ and live in love, be patient in everything, live meek and humble obedience to the Lord, and fulfill the mission of evangelism with service and sacrifice. Help us to live a life that sets the example of faith in the world. We pray in the name of Jesus, who set the example of sacrifice. Amen