Articles
Walking with Christ
Jesus in John 17 is praying for the protection and sanctification of God’s people. In verse fifteen Jesus says, “I do not ask that you take them out of this world, but that you protect them from the evil one.” Why would Jesus pray for God to keep us in such a tempting and painful place? The answer is in verse 21, “that they may also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.” Our purpose in this world is to grow in Christ, so that we may glorify God and spread God’s word. That is why Jesus prays for mankind to be made holy by His blood, to be made holy by The Word, and to be protected by God while on Earth. Understanding this each person must ask themselves, “Am I walking in a manner worthy of God’s purpose for us?”
It is amazing how God can explain how a person should go about walking with Christ in just one word—compassion. With confidence it is known that God is the source of all compassion because of how He forbore judgement time and time again from the Israelites in the desert (Psalm 78:37-39). Jesus is the embodiment of compassion because He came from God. It is displayed in how He treated everyone lovingly, including Judas, sinners, etc. Walking in a manner that glorifies God is to replicate the compassion Jesus had by being one with God. You might be asking, “Jesus was the Son of God and I am me. How can I possibly live up to that?”
You’re not supposed to be Jesus, but only like Him. That is why Jesus is the son of God, and you are the son of a man, adopted by God through Christ’s powerful blood. Jesus had the choice to align Himself with God just like you have a choice. That is the aspect of Jesus everyone is called to be like. Jesus was tempted by the devil in Luke 4 but chose to obey God and not fall into temptation. Jesus’ flesh was weak leading up to being crucified but He turned to God in the garden of Gethsemane and prayed for strength. Jesus’ heavenly bestowed power was shown in the miracles He performed, but Jesus’ biggest power was that He always aligned Himself with God. That is how Jesus was able to be so compassionate, humble, meek, gentle, graceful, patient, and kind.
No man could ever be Jesus but by aligning with God your purpose will absolutely be fulfilled. Peace and compassion with others can only be achieved by unifying our hearts with God’s Holy Spirit. Jesus was diligent in His pursuit of compassion and peace. Upon His arrest, Jesus healed an enemy’s ear after it was cut off by one of His followers. As you approach others, don’t be so defensive and reckless that a person’s ears are “cut off” from God. Instead be like Christ and compassionately heal them. The mystery of the Bible the Holy Spirit reveals is not that you will develop divine powers, live an easy life, or that you will agree with everyone. The mystery is that everyone can become a child of God and accomplish a greater purpose. Like Jesus, are you willing to accomplish your purpose so that others can achieve theirs?
Inspired by: 1 Corinthians 13; Colossians 3:12-17; Luke 4; Mark 14:32-42; 1 Corinthians 13; Ephesians 4:3; 1 Timothy 5:1-2; Ephesians 2:8-12; Ephesians 3
