Night with Ebon Pinion

A haunting, sorrowful hymn that recounts Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane...

This hymn is based on Matthew 26:36-44, Mark 14:32-42, and Luke 22:39-46.

“If it isn’t in red ink, then it doesn’t matter."

The world is full of people who don’t understand the Bible.  Millions of people wander aimlessly in their spiritual journey thanks to various misunderstandings of the Word of God, whether it is through trusting a false teacher’s words as truth, taking verses and sections of the Bible out of context, or simply a lack of study on their own part.

Luke 6:39 – “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into the ditch?”

We must therefore commit ourselves to a thorough study of the Word of God if we hope to fully understand God’s will and obey it.

2 Timothy 2:15-16  - “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.”

This lesson’s misconception:  In the Bible, only the words of Jesus matter

A misconception that I've heard a lot here lately is the notion of, “If it isn’t printed in red ink, then it doesn’t matter.”  Basically, the idea behind this misconception is that if Jesus didn’t say it, then it’s not important.

This is an extremely problematic approach to the Bible!  Just imagine if we took everything out of the Bible that wasn’t spoken directly by Jesus while He was here on Earth.  There wouldn’t be much of the Bible left at all! 

A quick clarification before continuing:  The point of this lesson is not to downplay the teachings of Jesus.  That is not my intention at all!  In fact, throughout this lesson, I hope to use the words of Christ Himself (primarily) to dispel the aforementioned misconception!

Obviously, the words that Jesus spoke are the very cornerstone of our faith and should be revered as sacred.  However, as we are told in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 -  “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,  that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

We must realize that the Bible, in its entirety, is the Word of God.  To take anything away from God’s Word would diminish the entire message!

When Misconceptions Attack:  Why are misconceptions problematic? 

What’s the big deal?  Why should we even address misconceptions such as this? 

For one thing, how can we expect to make informed decisions based on misinformation?

When a misconception manifests itself, more misconceptions are likely to follow.  Galatians 5:9 - “A little leaven leavens the whole lump”

For example:  The most recent use of the misguided “If Jesus didn’t say it, then it doesn’t matter” argument I have heard is in the gay marriage debate.   Supporters of gay marriage state that since Jesus never directly forbade gay marriage, then it should be acceptable. 

By this logic, anything that Jesus never directly acknowledged and discouraged or forbade must be alright!  Jesus never directly mentioned drug abuse, so that must be acceptable among Christians.  Jesus never directly mentioned human trafficking, so that must be tolerable as well.

Obviously this is not the case in any of those situations.  Just because Jesus didn’t directly mention one thing or another does not automatically make it OK.  Once again, to fully discern the will of God, we must view the Bible as a whole.

(For the record, while it’s true that Jesus did not make any reference to gay marriage directly, in response to a question concerning marriage and divorce He did say, “Have you not read that He who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,” [Matthew 19:4] which is consistent with the message throughout the Bible that marriage is between a man and a woman…  But that’s a whole other lesson on its own!)

One cannot discredit the Old Testament prophets without discrediting Jesus Himself 

If you were to take out all of the scriptures in the Bible in which Jesus is not directly speaking, the Old Testament would basically no longer exist.  This would be like ripping the first half (actually, probably more than that) out of a novel and expecting someone to make sense of the whole thing!  Someone studying the scriptures without the Old Testament in place would miss out on a lot of information and back-story!  Jesus regularly made reference to important Old Testament figures and events.  Additionally, Jesus also frequently made reference to the Law and the scriptures.  How would anyone hoping to gain understanding of what Jesus was saying have any chance of actually doing so without the Old Testament?

Another issue in removing the Old Testament would be removing a portion of the credibility of Christ’s divinity.  Some scholars say that there are around 400 Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Jesus and His actions.  Much (if not all) of what Jesus did while He was on Earth was to fulfill the prophecies made about Him.  In fact, one of the reasons that we can be so sure of Jesus’ status as the Christ are the prophecies made about Him in the Old Testament.  These prophecies are part of the proof that validates our faith! 

Basically, if this misconception was true, the Old Testament would be useless.  But something that people regularly forget is that Jesus didn’t come to destroy the Old Law, but to fulfill it!

Matthew 5:17 – “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.”

It’s true that we are no longer under the Law of Moses recorded in the Old Testament.  We are not subject to the type of worship described therein, nor the harsh laws that dictated society during that time.  However, there is still much that can be learned from the Old Testament scriptures.  It’s sometimes difficult to understand the Old Testament in the context of the Bible as a whole, but it remains relevant even to this day.

Jesus makes an interesting statement pertaining to this issue in John 5:46-47 -  For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me.  But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?”

According to Jesus Himself we must believe in the Old Testament if we hope to believe in Him!

One cannot discredit the Apostles without discrediting Jesus Himself

Many people that state that Jesus’ words are the only ones in the Bible that matter are seeking to discredit the work and teachings of the Apostles.  Some of them might even go as far as to argue that the Apostles over-complicated Christianity, stating that the message of Jesus was simple and liberating, while the teachings of the Apostles like Peter and Paul were very restrictive and maybe even contradictory to what Jesus had taught them!

What these people forget is that Jesus Himself (once again, in red ink even) chose the Apostles personally to be His disciples while he was on Earth. 

John 20:21-22 – “So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.”  And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit...”

If anybody could claim expertise in the teachings of Christ, it would have to be the very people that walked with Him in the flesh, those who were exposed to the majority of His teachings while He was on Earth!  Who could be more qualified to write the Gospels?

The Apostles not only witnessed the miracles of Jesus and heard His teachings, but they were also chosen to continue Christ’s work after His death, resurrection, and ascension. 

Matthew 16:18-19 - And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.  And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”

Detractors of the Apostles might say, “Well, how can we trust the teachings of the Apostles after Jesus left if they were fallible humans just like us?”  Jesus promised the Apostles that another would come in His place after He left. 

John 14:15-18 - “If you love Me, keep My commandments.  And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—  the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.  I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.

This “Helper” was the Holy Spirit and Jesus said that He would guide them in His place and give them utterance and remembrance.  Additionally, Jesus predicted that the Holy Spirit would play a major role in the foundation of the church. 

Acts 1:8 – “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Then look what happened the Day of Pentecost...

Acts 2:4 – “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

To ignore the teachings of the Apostles is to question the very authority of Jesus.  If the words in red that Jesus spoke concerning His Apostles are to be trusted, then the Apostles themselves are to be trusted as well.

A Dilemma of Logic:  Who wrote the words in the red ink?

Another problem with this misconception is the logic of the entire situation!  Ignoring the portions of the New Testament that do not include Jesus directly is to ignore the Apostles and their work.   But remember, these were the very men who were appointed by Jesus to continue His work.  And a large portion of that work was the writing of the Gospels.

That’s right; the Apostles were the scribes of the New Testament, including the recording of the very words that Jesus spoke.  Claiming that the Apostles were incorrect in their teachings would also be claiming that they were incorrect in their recording of Jesus’ message!

Fortunately, this is not the case at all.  Jesus Himself guaranteed that the Helper, the Holy Spirit would ensure that the Apostles recorded Jesus’ words correctly.

John 14:25-27  - “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.   Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Once again, we cannot question the teachings of the Apostles without questioning the authority of Jesus.

Jesus and God are ONE

A final problem with this misguided viewpoint is that Jesus Himself stated that He and the Father are ONE!

 

John 10:25-30 - Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.  But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you.  My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand.  My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.  I and My Father are one.”

And this was not the only instance in which Jesus states that He and God are one and the same…

John 14:9b-11a – “ He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?  Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.  Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father in Me…”

John 1:1-3, 14 -  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God.  All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made…  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”

Based on passages such as these, we can conclude that God the Father and God the Son are one and the same.  Therefore the words of both God and Jesus must be of equal importance.

Whether we choose to believe it or not, the God of the Old Testament is the same as the Son of God who walked on the Earth 2000 years ago.  Likewise the God of the Old Testament and the Son of God are the same as Holy Spirit that inspired and guided the Apostles through the New Testament scriptures. 

Conclusion

We studied some interesting topics in addressing this particular misconception.  In summation, if we removed any portion of the Bible at all, we would have great difficulty in seeing the full, clear picture of God’s plan.  May we always seek to study God’s Word in its entirety without adding anything to or taking anything away from it.

Self Servitude

I remember that when I was in Boy Scouts our troop would participate in the Toys for Tots program.  We would collect toys to give to families that could not afford to buy Christmas presents to their children.  It was always heartwarming to see the gratefulness of a child receiving a gift that wouldn't have otherwise, but unfortunately those aren't always the memories that stick out the most in my mind. 

As part of our service we would take boxes of toys and carry them out to the cars of the parents coming to pick them up. All too often I remember how angry I was to be putting a box of toys in a nice, expensive car with either a fancy, blaring sound system or a floorboard littered with cigarette butts and beer cans.  These parents weren't so poor that they couldn't afford those items which made they themselves happy.

Self Servitude

Virtually all sins are self-seeking in nature.  Unfortunately, many people today choose to live a life that is all about themselves.  The attitude of these people is that is the primary focus in my life is ME.  

Through the course of this lesson I would like to focus on various self-serving sins found in accounts from the Bible and the consequences thereof.  

Selfishness:  Lot chooses the better land for himself

            

We read the story of Abraham and his nephew, Lot, in Genesis 13.  Lot traveled with Abraham from to Canaan and to and from Egypt.  At one point, Abraham and Lot had such large herds of livestock that their herdsmen fought over land for them to occupy.  So Abraham suggested that Lot and he should separate and divide the land.  Abraham gave Lot first choice and Lot took this opportunity to choose the better land for himself which was more fertile and near the Jordan River.  This left Abraham with the rocky hill country.  But, as we read in Genesis 13:12, Lot “pitched his tent toward Sodom.”  Even though Lot got the better land for himself, he was going to suffer for his selfish decision.  Later on, Lot was taken captive during battle in the land and had to be rescued by Abraham and later, when Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed, Lot lost not only his home, but also his wife.  We recall that Lot’s wife, despite being warned to not look back at Sodom, did so and was turned into a pillar of salt. 

1 Corinthians 10:24 - Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being

Jealousy/Hatred:  Joseph’s Brothers

            

Another way in which people serve themselves is to give in to feelings of envy and jealousy which leads to hatred and sinful acts of aggression, regardless of the harm it causes to others. 

We recall the story of Joseph and his brothers:  Joseph was the youngest of Israel’s sons and the most loved.  Because of their father’s favoritism, Joseph’s brothers hated him. (Genesis 37:4 - But when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers, they hated him and could not speak peaceably to him.)

Later on, Joseph began having dreams of greatness over his brothers, which angered them even more and increased their feelings of resentment and hatred.  One day Joseph was sent by his father to check on his brothers who were tending to the flock.  As Joseph approached, his brothers plotted against him and decided to kill him and they cast him into a pit.  Reuben tried to talk his brothers out of killing Joseph, and when some traders came by, the brothers decided to make a profit by selling Joseph as a slave.  Once Joseph was gone, the brothers covered up their deed by making it look as if he had been attacked by a wild animal, taking his tunic, dipping it in blood and showing it to their father. 

Jesus said in Matthew 5:21-22 - You have heard that it was said to those of old, “You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.”  But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment.  And whoever says to his brother, “Raca!” shall be in danger of the council.  But whoever says, “You fool!” shall be in danger of hell fire.  Jesus tells us not to give a place to anger because anger leads to hatred.  That hatred is murder in the heart.

Adultery/Fornication:  David takes Bathsheba for himself       

Jesus also spoke of adultery’s beginnings in the heart in Matthew 5:27-28 - You have heard it said to those of old, “You shall not commit adultery.”  But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Shortly after David became the king of Israel his army was at battle while he remained in Jerusalem. One night he looked from his rood and saw a beautiful woman bathing.  He found out that this woman was Bathsheba, the wife Uriah the Hittite, one of David’s soldiers.  David took Bathsheba and lay with her.  Later, Bathshaba told David that she was pregnant with his child.  David tried several time to cover up his sin by bringing Uriah home from battle in hopes that he would be with his wife and think that the child was his.  But when his plan didn't work, David devised a plan to have Uriah killed.  David had Uriah put on the front lines of battle and told his general to have the rest of the troops withdraw, leaving Uriah to die. 

This greatly displeased God and He sent Nathan to David, who confronted him about his sin (2 Samuel 12:1-7).

Nathan told David that because of what he had done the rest of his life would be filled with adversity.  The child of Bathsheba and David was struck ill and died.  Later, Absolom, one of David’s sons, would go to war against David and try to overthrow his rule.

We cannot serve God while serving the lusts of the flesh.  Galatians 5:16-17 I say then: Walk in the Spirit and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.  For the flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

Greed/Betrayal:  Judas betrays Jesus for Money

1 Timothy 6:10 - For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Judas was one of Jesus’ apostles and was even entrusted with being a treasurer.  But Judas had his own agenda and was planning to betray Jesus.  Judas met with the Chief Priests and made a deal.  He agreed to betray Jesus for a reward of thirty pieces of silver.  Later, when Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, Judas approached Jesus with a multitude armed with swords and clubs.  Judas kissed Jesus which was a signal to the multitude and they took Jesus away.  Judas realized what he had done and that Jesus was going to be put to death, he tried to give the money he received for his evil deed back.  When the Chief priests wouldn't accept the blood money, Judas went out and hanged himself (Matthew 27:3-5).

Proverbs 1:10-19 speaks of greed, betrayal and murder: My son, if sinners entice you, Do not consent.  If they say, “Come with us lie in wait to shed blood; Let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause; Let us swallow him alive like Sheol, and whole like those who go down to the Pit; We shall find all kinds of precious possessions, We shall fill our houses with spoil; Cast in your lot among us, Let us all have one purse” - My son , do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path; For their feet run to evil, And they make haste to shed blood. Surely in vain the net is spread In the sight of any bird; But they lie in wait for their own blood, They lurk secretly for their own lives.  So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain; It takes away the life of its owners.

Dishonesty:  Peter lies to save himself

In Matthew 26 Jesus was being taken to the high priest, the first of many mock trials that would ultimately lead to his crucifixion.  Peter followed Him at a distance and ended up sitting with some servants to watch.  Several of the servants thought they recognized Peter as a disciple of Christ and asked him about his association with Jesus.  Peter had to have been frightened, for his life, knowing that Jesus was being marched to His death, so he decided to lie to save himself. Peter denied Jesus three times, claiming that he didn't even know Him and even cursed to stress his point to those around him. 

Matthew 26:69-75 - Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard.  And a servant girl came to him saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.”  But he denied it before them saying, “I do not know what you are saying.”  And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.”  But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!”  And a little later those who stood by came and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.”  Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!”  Immediately a rooster crowed.  And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows you will deny Me three times.”  So he went out and wept bitterly.

Those who deny Jesus will be denied by Jesus on the Judgement day.  Matthew 10:32-33- Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My father who is in heaven.  But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.

How often do we deny Jesus in our own lives through the activities that we engage in, through the words we say, through the bad example we set and through our failure to spread His Word?

A Final Thought on a Life Spent in Service to Self

I read a book once that talked about some of the most common objections to Christianity.  Probably the most common is that people do not understand how a loving God could send anyone to Hell.   But if you think about it, when a person chooses to sin, they themselves are choosing to separate themselves from God. 

We know that sin is offensive to God, so much to the point that He can’t stand the sight of it.

Isaiah 59:1-2 - Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear.  But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.

Basically, when we make the choice to sin, we make the choice to be separated from God.   Therefore, it should be no surprise that God gives us what we want.  Those that spend their lives seeking to be separated from God will get just that.  Hell is a place that is totally removed from God.  God will not be there.  

The Alternative: A Life of Self-Denial in Service to God

As we have seen, a self-seeking is ultimately an empty life.  If we are constantly striving to please ourselves, we will find life’s temporary pleasures to be fleeting.                       

Instructions to early Christians:  Philippians 2:3-4 - Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than himself.  Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but for the interests of others.

In order to serve God and follow Jesus, we must deny ourselves.  Matthew 16:24-27 - Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.  For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.  For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

1 Peter 4:1 -2 - Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

A Christian should honestly be able to say the following:  Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave His life for me.

                                                                                

            Jesus gave His life for us, and all He asks in return is that we give our life to Him.

The Character of Christ

Attributes of Christ that Christians should strive to emulate

Christians are so named because they seek to serve Christ.  Christians should be Christ-like in their words and actions.  People should be able to tell based upon a person’s character whether or not they are a Christian. 

However, from my experience, it seems that most people have a negative opinion of Christians.

A scathing secular review of Christians:  "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." -  Mahatma Gandhi 

Unfortunately, Christians are sometimes the most un-Christ-like people.  Whether it is through self-righteousness, inconsistency, or flat-out hypocrisy, many Christians fail to live up to the name of Christ!

Matthew 7:16  You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles?

How many people are turned away from the church and the message of the Gospel because of the un-Christ-like behavior of so-called Christians?  If the Christians act no better than the rest of the world, why would anyone want to join their ranks?

1 John 2:6  He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Let us re-examine the character of Christ and review the attributes that we should be emulating in our Christian life. 

Matthew 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Humility

One of the biggest criticisms about Christians is that they are self-righteous, “holier than thou” types.  We've all ran across people that fall into this category.  Nobody wants to be around people like that.  Certainly, nobody wants to listen to what that kind of people are preaching!

Jesus is the ultimate example of humility.  If anyone had the right to flaunt their righteousness, it would be the Son of God Himself.  But Jesus didn’t do that.  He humbled Himself to the point that He became human, giving up the glory of Heaven to descend down to our level on Earth, becoming human in the process.

2 Corinthians 8:9  For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.

Humble associations – Jesus didn’t talk to great rulers and politicians, He taught to the common people, proving that He is the Savior to all. 

Luke 8:1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God.

Philippians 2:5-11  Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,  who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,  but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth,  and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Are we humble in our words and actions?  Do we recognize that God is the source of all righteousness and that anything that we do in this life that we perceive as righteousness pales in comparison to His glory? 

John 13:12-17 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you?  You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.  For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.  Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him.  If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

 Firm in the face of temptation

I think people often make the mistake of thinking that it’s unfair of God to expect us to be like Christ because Christ was perfect.  But it’s important to notice that even though Christ was sinless, He was not immune to temptation.  In the flesh, Jesus was, in fact, tempted just as much as we are.  This should be a point of comfort to us. 

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Christ was strong and stood firm in the face of temptations.  Not long after His baptism, Jesus went out to the wilderness to fast and was tempted by Satan himself (Matthew 4).  It’s interesting to note that in this account Jesus responds to the devil’s temptations by quoting Scripture.  It was benefit us to do the same.  In times of trouble we should also turn to the Word of God and draw from His strength. 

Hebrews 2:18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Are we strong in the face of temptation?  Do we turn to God in times of weakness?

1 Corinthians 10:13  No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Prayerful

OK, so "prayerful" may not actually be a word, but if it were, I think we would most certainly find it to be a fair descriptor of Christ.  It’s interesting to notice that Jesus prayed frequently. 

Luke 5:16 - So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

There are around 30 accounts of Jesus praying in the Gospels.  We read of Him praying alone, in public, before meals, before doing God’s work, and in times of tribulation and despair.  Based on the Scriptures, Jesus seemed to constantly be in “prayer mode”. We also know that when Jesus prayed, He did so reverently and earnestly.  We know that while He was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane that He was in such anguish that He was in tears and “His sweat was as blood.”

Do we pray as often as Jesus did?  Do we take prayer as seriously as Jesus did?

Do we do as we are commended to do in 1 Thessalonians 5:17? 

Meek/Obedient

John 5:30  I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

 Jesus knew what His mission on Earth would ultimately lead to.  He knew the tribulations and sufferings He would face in His human life and the agony of His cruel death on the cross.  Shortly before being betrayed and being taken away, Jesus prayed that He would not have to face the brutality of the cross.  But even in the midst of praying not to have to go through with it, He submitted His will to God’s. 

Matthew 26:39, 42  He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”  ; Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”

Do we submit our will to God’s will?  Do we have an attitude of obedience?  Would we be faithful until death?

Revelation 2:10  Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Compassionate/Kind/Gentle/Selfless

Because of His reputation as a healer, everywhere that Jesus went, multitudes followed. 

Matthew 14:14  And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

We know from the Scriptures that Jesus healed many that had had life-long illnesses that were considered beyond treatment at that time (some of which remain so even today!).  The fact that Jesus healed them is not only evidence that confirms the deity of Christ, but also His great compassion for others.  Jesus was kind to all that He came across and gentle in His words and actions.

While we may not have the miraculous healing abilities of Jesus, we should have empathy for our fellow man and seek to serve them. 

Galatians 6:2  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

We should likewise strive to be kind and compassionate with others.  The way we treat others could make all the difference in the world.  The words we use and the actions we make could be the extra push of encouragement someone needs to get up the hill and overcome their struggles, or the push that puts them over the edge, to the point of no return. 

Romans 15:2-7 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, “The reproaches of those who reproached You fell on Me.” For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore receive one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

Are we kind in our dealings with others?  Are we gentle in our reproaches?  Are our actions selfless in nature?

2 Corinthians 10:1 Now I, Paul, myself am pleading with you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—who in presence am lowly among you, but being absent am bold toward you.

Full of Grace/Forgiveness

While on Earth, Jesus not only healed the physical infirmities of the multitudes that followed Him, but He also restored their spiritual health. 

Matthew 9:2  Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”

Even in the midst of being crucified by the very people that He had come to save, Jesus forgave.

Luke 23:33-34 And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.”

Are we willing to forgive others when they do evil towards us?  Are we willing to forgive even minor offenses? 

Colossians 3:13   ...Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Consistent

Christ was not a hypocrite.  While on Earth He talked the talked and walked the walk.  He practiced what He preached.

Hebrews 13:8  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Are we living consistently?  Are we living our lives as an example to others, without hypocrisy?

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Longsuffering

Jesus exemplified longsuffering through His tribulations and persecutions.

Isaiah 53:7  He was oppressed and He was afflicted, Yet He opened not His mouth; He was led as a lamb to the slaughter, And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, So He opened not His mouth.

Are we as longsuffering as Jesus?  Do we handle our tribulations, which are minor in comparison to those that Jesus faced, with patience and submission to God’s will?

Hebrews 12:1-4 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,  looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin.

Loving

Jesus said in John 13:34:  A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another

So great is the love of Christ that nothing can separate us from it!  

Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?  As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Jesus exhibited His love for all through His ultimate sacrifice. 

1 John 3:16  By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

John 10:11-17 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.  But a hireling, he who is not the shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheep.  I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own.  As the Father knows Me, even so I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep.  And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd.  Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again.  No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

Do we love others enough to sacrifice everything for them?  Do we even love others enough to sacrifice our time and energy for them?  Do we love others enough to share the story of Christ and to spread His message of love and sacrifice?

Ephesians 5:2  And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.

Conclusion:  To be a true Christian, we must follow His steps, we must put on Christ!

Christians are not merely the people who go to church on Sunday, occupy a seat on the pew, and listen to the preacher.  James 1:22 commends us to "be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves."

We’re not going to be perfect, but you do need to strive to be as Christ-like as possible! 

1 Peter 2:21-24  For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;  who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed.

As Christians, we are told to “put on Christ”. Romans 13:14  But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.

How does one “put on Christ”?  Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

To those of us who are not Christians:  What are you waiting for?  Why have you not made the good decision to put on Christ?

To those of us who already call ourselves Christians:  Can we truly say the following?  

Galatians 2:20  I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Our God, He is Alive

This hymn was one of my grandpa's favorites.  He sometimes called it the "Azure Blue" song.