A Day-by-day devotional

February 22, 2023

To live like Jesus

Chronological One Year Bible Reading Plan: Numbers 3-4

Scripture of the Day: Ephesians 5:1-2

The Christian writer Elisabeth Elliot lived as a missionary amongst the Auca people in Ecuador. This same tribe killed her husband prior to her return to their land. In choosing to forgive and later even serve and love the community who made her daughter orphan from a father, Elisabeth demonstrated exactly how it is to live like Christ.

Jesus lived amongst us, tribe of men. Men also happened to be the one to crucify Him. Yet, as He was suffering on the cross, He told the Father, “Forgive them for they know not what they do (Luke 23:24).“ His was a selfless love.

When Jesus called His disciples He said to them, “Come, follow me!“ The word follow is defined as coming after. If you are a follower, you would have to come after the one you are following, the one who goes before you. He leads the way. You go where He goes. He does something. You do what He does.

To live like Christ therefore, is to pattern your actions after Him. In order to do this, His thoughts need to be your thoughts. His heart, your heart. His ways, your ways. This is only achievable when you saturate yourself in His presence. It is only doable if you listen to the beat of His heart.

In the Great Commission, before Jesus ascended into heaven to be with the Father, His words were this, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20). A disciple is another word for follower. This therefore means that if you are a follower of Jesus, you walk His walk and talk His talk. When others see Jesus reflected in you, they would also be inspired to follow. That is how we fulfill the Great Commission.

Like Jesus, we become selfless. We do away with self and intentionally be like Him the best way we can.

Reflection: To be able to live like Jesus, you get to know Him and copy His ways. How can you do that if you have no personal relationship with Him in the first place? First comes a relationship. Upon culturing the relationship, you deepen your knowledge of Him. In so doing, you would be able to follow His ways.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, it is never an easy road to follow you. Still, that is what I long to do. Make me able, my Lord! Amen.

Reference:

Vaughn, Ellen. 2020. Becoming Like Elisabeth Elliot. Broadman & Holman Publishers