Philippians 4:9
“As for the things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.”
All christians should be able to say this. “Do that which you see me do.” Does this mean we are all walking at a high level? No, it means we have a great God who can make much out of little.
This is a continual redemption story. This happens everywhere all the time for anyone who gives God a chance. It reminds me of a great master who can work with any child to raise him to a level. That’s quite rare and it wouldn’t be possible with all children.
Ephesians 2:10 expounds on this point, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” We are His workmanship. It’s like He is a craftsman and we are His product. He can do this with the lowest of lives. He’s that good.
How does He do this? If a human were to try this it would be quite difficult. We are all self willed creatures who often aren’t trustful. But He is all wise, all loving and patient. Here’s what Matthew 12:20 says, “A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory.” His gentleness is amazing.
To finish with the analogy of the master, He signs all of his paintings. His mark is love. The christian song from the sixties and seventies has the chorus, “They will know we are christians by our love.” The obedient christ is a loving one. We may have once been bitter, His forgiveness helps us to do the same. We may have been rejected, but His open arms help us to do the same. The two great commands are to love.
All of us believers are to be loving. We are to demonstrate it daily. 2 Corinthians 2:15 says, “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” Peel an orange and the sweet fragrance is there. So as christians the sweet fragrance of Christ, His love, should be there. We must be great christians? No, just a great God.
We are to be aware of the weaknesses and limitations of others. Paul addresses two of these, those who have addictions and those weak in conscience. Romans 14:15 says, “If your brother is distressed by what you eat, you are no longer acting in love. Do not by your eating destroy your brother, for whom Christ died.” This is directly speaking of those who ate meat offered to idols. This offended the consciences of some. If someone has a problem, we aren’t to trigger it with our freedom. That is acting in love. Much of Paul’s letters are corrective. He’s telling them, “Stop this” or “Don’t do that”.
All believers should be examples. I Corinthians 11:1 says, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” We should all be able to say that. Yes, we are imperfect, but that’s part of it. We are still flawed. We apologize, we reconcile, we show others we are safe. This is an important lesson in itself. It’s all part of grace.
Thank You, Lord, for working in our lives. You’ve reached down to low places, rescued us and made us Your children who are to be a blessing. Thank You.