Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 10-12; 2 Corinthians 11:16-33
Memory verse: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” 1 Corinthians 11:1 (KJV)
The American Standard Version (ASV) puts the above scriptural text this way, “Become imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ.” To become a follower or imitator of Christ is to become Christlike. This means we must have love for God and others like Christ do and do all we do like Him. This love must motivate and direct our love for others in everything after putting God first.
Christ’ love for His Father was revealed in His concern for His will to be done at all cost, even at the cost of His life. In fact, He died for the will of the Father for that was why He was sent to the earth in the first place. And now Paul, who became an ardent follower, urged everyone to become followers of him as he follows Christ. How did Jesus served the Father on earth? Why should we imitate Paul who followed Jesus?
Jesus was so soaked with the will of the Father He told His disciples, “…my meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work” John 4:34 (KJV). In John 11:7b (KJV), He told his disciples, “Let us go into Judea again.” This was not long after the Jews tried to stone Him for saying He and the Father are one (John 10:30-33). Now duty calls as the Spirit is leading Him into Judea to the home of Mary and Martha with respect to the death of their brother Lazarus. As long as God will be glorified, He embarked on the journey in spite of the danger of being killed.
Paul followed Jesus’ example for the things of God with fervent zeal. He faced many dangers as he tells us, “of the Jews the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.” Paul relentlessly preached the gospel and eventually died in service like his master, Jesus.
How have you been following Christ? Have you encountered anything? Any perils among false brethren like Paul did? Please, remember you are not the first. Set your sight toward the end like Christ and Paul, with the ultimate aim of bringing God glory.
Prayer: Father, I ask for grace to focus on You and Your son, Jesus Christ like Paul did in my kingdom walk.
Bro. Worthmore Aghanenu