Let’s be honest, Jesus did not “netflix and chill.” Therefore, this could be a pretty extensive article.
Is this contemporary slang term all we have to live up to? 1 John 2:6 bluntly shares the answer:
“Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”
So, where do we begin? Here’s five categories that may not even make a dent on the list, but if you do not start somewhere, you will get nowhere. Keep in mind the story of Jesus healing on the Sabbath in Mark 3:1-12 while reading the following.
1. Location: confining and relating faith only to a building
“The church” is not a reference to a constructed dwelling. Instead, it is a way of life spanning every inch of the world by establishing relationships, praying and loving. God’s face shines upon nightclubs, grocery stores, sports arenas, alleys, movie theaters, rehab facilities, and anywhere else that souls reside. He is not into making religion “look pretty.” To clarify, God does not care where His children are when He brings the Spirit upon them. This does not mean the actual church building is not a sacred place where His work can take place, but it is not confined. The Spirit travels past the stained glass windows, wooden pews, and pulpits. This is how people discover the love of Jesus Christ in war camps, mosques, and bomb shelters. The tangible items contain minimal worth in comparison to the Holy Spirit’s ability. Notice in the scripture from Mark, Jesus begins His work in the synagogue but then moved to the seaside. Jesus hears cries from every square inch of creation.
2. Miracles/healing: remembering the character of God and His Son
Jesus did some crazy “stuff” during His life in the flesh. Founder of the Vineyard Movement and member of music group “The Righteous Brothers,” John Wimber, states, “I gave up drugs for this. I gave up my career for this. You mean I don’t get to do it? When I worked for the devil, I got to do the devil stuff. If I’m working for Jesus, I want to do what Jesus did.” Living as Jesus did does not mean solely believing in His works, but actually performing them. In the scripture from Mark, Jesus healed “a man with a shriveled hand” just by telling him to “stretch out [his] hand.” We are a conduit for God to move through us, as Jesus was. By laying hands on the sick we are taking advantage of this opportunity, not only for ourselves, but for the brother or sister crying out at our touch.
3. Mindset: perspective is everything
Not only did Jesus heal the man with a shriveled hand, but He did it in the presence of unsupportive spectators. Mark 3:3-6 states:
Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, “Stand up in front of everyone.” Then Jesus asked them, “Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?” But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the Pharisees went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus.
After the onlookers remained silent after Jesus questioned them, He did not respond with an annoyed remark or frustrating outburst even though He was “deeply distressed.” Instead, he continued on with the healing with confidence in His father. That is one of aspects of this scripture that strikes me most. Jesus’ mind was set on the man in need, not the ones who doubted or desired to kill Him. This incident can be so clearly translated to modern day. All around the world people are skeptical of God whether that be in our homes, schools, governments, or places of employment. All too often the spotlight is shined on those who are uneasy about our beliefs, sucking out the time and energy which is meant to be used on the works for Christ. Big or small, this happens to all Christ followers. The perspective and attitude we contain determines how much difference we make for the Kingdom. We must push forward accompanying attitudes of alacrity, patience, humbleness and perseverance.
4. Comprehension of the incomprehensible: longing to go as far as the Bible goes even with humanly limitations
By first understanding that God’s character and works are unfathomable in our minds, comprehending that His potent love has no limits becomes a tiny bit easier. His cup of love is constantly overpowering down on His children bringing every encounter here on Earth. We will never fully understand why God does what He does, so let’s revert that energy into having a deeper relationship with Him.
5. The celebration: seeing the joy in Christ
Christianity comes along with seriousness for many reasons; the sacrifices, oppression, deaths-- just to name a few. The faith is most definitely not a Sunday hobby or a microscopic part of a human’s personality. Instead, it infuses every action, word, and thought of God’s children. Luckily, this earnestness comes alongside a whole lot of jubilance. The man who was crucified, died, buried, and rose from the grave has a name of victory for this very turn of events is made possible by a more than capable God. Not only was Jesus Christ resurrected, but He resurrects us. We come alive through His name. This liveliness and delight must be present and emphasized, just as death and repentance are. He died in our place, just so our souls could live. That sure is something to sing and dance about.
Going as far as the Bible goes does not come from reading a little list, but it does come from letting that list be a beginning to a deeper understanding of what it means to be imitators of Christ. That is a pretty hefty calling, but why believe and not do? I cannot come up with even one reason. Can you?
