Fear No Fear

“For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15, MEV). God loved us enough for Jesus to be an example so that we could model Jesus as He modeled the Father. Jesus is our example. He is how we should be. Because God is merficul and gracious, He enables us to do that by opening the Way for us to live in Jesus and for Jesus to live through us (Galatians 2:20). That is what makes us lights on a hill. That is what makes us the salt of the Earth. It is the Jesus IN US that people see. It’s no good to claim Jesus loves someone if you treat another human like garbage – no matter WHAT the justification is. It doesn’t mean other people get a free pass to treat us like doormats. There are consequences for actions. We’re allowed to stand up for ourselves. Jesus didn’t roll over and let everyone treat Him like garbage. Jesus also didn’t treat anyone like garbage and He let others disagree with Him, scorn Him, mock Him, and He didn’t strike back. He didn’t keep company with them either. Jesus didn’t burn bridges. He kept gates open, giving people a way to change their mind and get close. Jesus called to them , told them the truth, and loved them deeply. Jesus was a great example for all of us. We need to be regularly reading the Gospels and looking at what Jesus DID as much as we look at what Jesus SAID. This is our example. Are we modeling Jesus to our family? Can they look at us and know what the Father is like? Do they see how we act and speak and easily believe us when we talk about how Jesus is and how Jesus feels about them? We aren’t going to be perfect at it, but are we thinking about it? Are we motivated by it? Are we using what God has given us so that we can be examples of Him to those around us? We are watched a LOT more than we think. We are being an example more than we think. We can rely on God to guide us, but we need to humbly submit to His leading. Doing as He says is the best way to be an example. Jesus modeled the Father to us. Let’s model Him to everyone else.