The Template

1 John 2:5-6

Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. (1 John 2:6)

THIS VERSE IS SOBERING, filled with words that almost everyone can agree with but few will actually fulfill. Jesus had harsh words for hypocrites and once asked his followers pointedly why they called him Lord but didn’t do what he said (Luke 6:46). Of course, there’s a significant difference between falling short of a standard and being a hypocrite who claims something but ignores it. We can forgive ourselves for our imperfection. But for claiming to be followers of Jesus without actually following him? That’s a problem. We are called to live as Jesus lived.

That’s a very high standard, and it begs for interpretation. We are not called to preach in an ancient agrarian society, challenge corrupt religious leaders, and die on a cross to save the world. But we are told to live and preach the message of the Kingdom, challenge injustices and deception, and take up our cross daily. We are also told to live with humility, be generous to the poor, love and serve those around us, walk in the power of the Spirit, be wise, and demonstrate the character of Jesus in all that we do. There’s a reason Scripture repeatedly lifts Jesus up as our example. He is the model we are expected to follow.

That’s why Jesus called both himself and his followers the light of the world (John 8:12; Matthew 5:14), why he told them they would do greater works than he did (John 14:12), why he said they would be persecuted as he was (John 15:20), and why he presented himself as an example to follow (John 13:15, 34). Students are to look a lot like their teachers, servants like their masters, and disciples like the one who trains them. We are being made into an image of original design and divine restoration—nothing short of the exact representation of God (Hebrews 1:3). It’s a high calling but a necessary one. There is grace for falling short but encouragement never to give up. If Jesus is to be seen in this world, it will be through those who follow him.

{Jesus, I have done a poor job of living as you lived, and while your mercy is immense, your calling remains. May I step closer into your image every day, ever increasing in your likeness. Amen.