Christianity is a rich and deep belief system. It is never afraid to test itself, to ensure it stands up to evidence and reason. Does that mean it can be “scientifically” tested in all its aspects? No. Can any of the academic beliefs or theories, about the origins of man or the universe, be “scientifically” tested in all their aspects? No. In fact, if you take the time to do the research yourself (like many great minds have done before you, e.g. C.S. Lewis, etc.), you will find it takes much more faith to believe in all the mathematical miracles, and breaks with logic, in the “scientific” theories, than it does to believe the one miracle required for Christianity…that there is an all powerful Creator God.
Even though Christianity is very rich, it is also, very simple. I shared my articulation of the Gospel in a previous post. It is only one paragraph, but a theologically dense paragraph, with words included to express the many aspects of the theology for those who will be looking for them.
There is a much simpler story to tell, and it explains much of the Christian faith.
What does it mean to be Christ-like? What is the perfect example that Jesus lived on earth that we are to emulate; and How?
Jesus rejected the vision for his earthly life presented to him by his flesh and mind, and instead, submitted to the Fathers vision; in Faith.
He was the last Adam, the First Spiritual Man; led by the Spirit, and not the Natural (1 Cor. 15).
He was born of woman, but His life and nature was given and imprinted, by the Heavenly Father, and not an earthly one. He was given a perfect faith from the earliest possible age that it can inhabit our earthly bodies. (His perfect faith could’ve been a part of Him from conception to 13. I don’t believe it is important to know what Jesus was like as a child, if it was, it would’ve been included in the Scriptures. [But, we can infer a lot, from the Man that he became, and what He taught Paul through revelation. I can assure you, He did all things (work, school, etc.) like unto the Lord!] But, I do think he was subject to the limitations of his earthly body. Except, when the Father wills otherwise, in the form of miracles, used as evidence of the Truth of Christ’s message. God the Father was giving His testimony by His Presence with Jesus, and His role as the second witness needed to verify Christ’s testimony!) In His Perfect Faith, He gave up all of his earthly will and prerogative, and submitted exclusively, to the will of the Father!
The first thing that is obvious about the words of Jesus, is they reveal his Love of the Word of God! (This is also a sign of a true Christian; their strong desire for the intimacy and guidance found in His Word.) It was evident in his dealings at the temple as a child; where he was, even then, removing the corruption heaped upon the Scriptures by the religious, and rightly teaching the Word of God with authority. And, of course, it is evident in all his dealings with the devil. His words were not earthly words, but God’s Words, when He was dealing with the ruler of this fallen world… in the desert, or anywhere.
Again, Jesus led a life exclusively directed, through His Spirit, by God the Father. He did that all the way to a horrifically painful and cursed death on a cross!
What an example He gave us in the garden of Gethsemane. He was not fearful of the earthly suffering that was to come (although, the unique voice of his earthly flesh would’ve been speaking loud and clear!), but wholly desiring not to give up His HOLY nature, and become the manifestation of all the sins of mankind, and for the first time in His unfathomable existence, be separated from His Holy Father! The natural is not the motivator; the spirit, with its eternal focus, is the driver of all thoughts and deeds.
After His Perfect Faith directed Him to obey the Father, and endure the Cross, becoming our atonement, He reclaimed His rightful place with the Father, through his bodily resurrection, and victory over sin and Death! In that Holy act, He carved out the narrow path for the chosen to follow, providing the Way to Him, and eternal Joy.
What does it mean to be Christ-like? It means you are striving for a perfect faith like His. One that is exclusively driven by the Vision of the Father.
How? You believe the Gospel, and dive into His Word. Learn who He is! If you know His voice and His character, you can never be fooled by the counterfeit! The devil goes about like a roaring lion seeking those to devour…but, he doesn’t stalk you, and leap upon you tearing you to shreds; he walks right up to you, and in his most charming manner says, “there’s another way.” But, if you know the Word of God, you will recognize his lies and ways, as well as, his counterfeit voice in your head.
Along with study, comes the desire to communicate further, and striving for a constant state of Prayer, as described in Ephesians 6:18. We all have an internal dialogue going at all times. We are “talking” to ourselves. Remove yourself from one side of that conversation and insert God. Tell Him your every thought. You will quickly realize He is much more present. And, your choice of thought topics, will also change rapidly, from those of a self focused nature, to those that are others focused in nature. You’ll also find it hard to engage in worldly conversations, especially sinful ones, with God on the other side of that conversation.
We should wake everyday with our focus on Him, and the death and removal of our old nature. The New Testament gives us the examples we are to follow; the Perfect example in Christ Jesus, as well as, those in the process of sanctification. Don’t ever look to people around you today for guidance on what to emulate in your Christian living, you won’t have enough information, and many are merely putting on an earthly show. Only look to His Word, for any and all, examples of what it means to be a Christian, or Christ-like. I know that I am shamefully flawed, and no example for others to follow. I have, and continue, to endure great consequences for my actions not taken in faith, but in the pathetic reasoning of the fallen flesh. I know my testimony is null and void, with so many who may read this post. But, don’t look to your opinion of me for the truth of these words, look to the Bible and His Spirit.
I rarely give references in my articles to verses used in my reasoning, not because they are not there, but because they are in many locations, and I am inviting you to search for them, or call them out in your mind as you read. I felt it was important to reference Ephesians for clarity, and to bring in the other aspects of its nature discussed there.
I hope this brings some clarity to those who are seeking it, and helps build up the Body of Christ.
Romans 8:18-30 ESV
18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23 And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
26 Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27 And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
In Faith,
Mutemandeafcat
If you think the information I have presented here is not Biblical, please comment below with the verses you believe I have contradicted. I absolutely do not wish to be heretical, or damaging to the Body in any way. I will accept all Biblical criticisms put forth in love, and the desire for Truth.