Being Christ Like

In his first letter, the apostle Peter writes these thought-provoking words: “For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example that you should follow His steps” (1 Peter 2:21). 

Did you catch that? Jesus left us an example of how to live our lives every single day. It’s been quite a few years, but remember when the phrase What would Jesus do was popular? The good news for the disciples of Christ is that we don’t have to wonder what Jesus would do in a particular situation. We can know without a doubt the way Jesus conducted Himself because the gospels tell us. I think a better catchphrase would have been WDJD — What did Jesus do? No guessing. No wondering. No speculation. In the pages of the New Testament, we have the Word, the life of Christ, spelled out so beautifully for us. 

Rick Atchley put it this way, “Our mission every place is to live as if Jesus were in our place.” Paul tells us you can see when a man or woman buys in completely to the redemptive program of Jesus because his or her life is completely transformed into the image of Christ. That word “transformation” simply means I no longer permit the world to sculpt or define me or mold me in its corrupt image. Rather, I desire to be transformed into the image of Jesus. It is a lifetime process that requires His power and His practices, and our sufferings lived out among His people and measured by His love. 

Buddy Bell preaches at the Landmark Church of Christ in Montgomery, Alabama. He did a sermon series earlier this spring entitled “Follow Me.” One week was dedicated to the topic “Do What Jesus Did.” It was an incredible series and reminded me of just how essential it is for me to replicate the lifestyle and worldview of my Lord in my life every single day. 

Dallas Willard once said, “A disciple is someone whose ultimate goal is to live their life the way Jesus would if He were me.” The longer I live, the more I’m convinced that trying to become more like Jesus is so much more rewarding than trying to become a better me. 

A good question for each of us to ask ourselves is, “What areas in life should I focus on as I try to model the life of the man who has been the greatest influencer in my life?” 

Let’s start with this: Jesus was a Do-Gooder. That’s right—He went about spreading good news when every other news outlet and politician, and entertainer in the greater metropolitan area of Jerusalem was raining down insults and hate on everyone. When Peter went to the house of a political leader and soldier in the Roman Army, he wanted to describe the ministry of Jesus to this man, Cornelius. Notice Peter describes the message of Christ as being one of “peace” (Acts 10:36). This Roman Centurion lived by the sword. Yet, this world leader [Christ], being described by Peter, would be one noted for His message of reconciliation using the cross as the background to bring real peace and hope to a hopeless world. Peter then goes on to describe the life of Christ this way in verse 38, “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” Yes, Peter boils the life that Jesus lived as one who went about “doing good.” 

Luke writes in Acts 1:1, “The former account I made O Theophilus of all that Jesus began to do and teach.” Yes, Jesus was an incredible teacher, and that is why He was often referred to simply as Rabbi. Luke reminds us that Jesus not only taught a great lesson, but he also modeled the material well. 

In Titus 3:14, Paul writes, “And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.” One of the things I tried to impress upon people in my time in located ministry was that if our goal was to be Jesus to the outside world, we could not ever separate good deeds from our good news. They go hand in hand. Too many churches talk a lot about the wonderful attributes of Christ while never duplicating them within their communities. 

It’s one thing to read how Jesus fed the hungry: it’s quite another to provide that same service from within our own congregations. It’s one thing to read how Jesus rescued a woman trapped in sexual sin: it’s quite another to develop a marriage enrichment ministry within our own church body. It’s one thing to see Jesus save those lost in their hurts and destructive habits: it’s quite another to start a spiritual recovery ministry from within our own church family. It’s one thing to read of Jesus setting the captives free, but when was the last time we engaged in a soul-saving prison ministry? 

We have been commissioned by Christ Himself to be the “salt of the earth,” not the salt of the shaker. Therefore, the question I must ask myself every day is this: “If I want to be like Jesus, if I want to think and do the things He did, how am I manifesting those teachings and desire in my life and family, and community?” I have heard many times that bars often serve free peanuts or pretzels because the more the barfly eats, the thirstier he becomes and the more drinks he will purchase. I’m not advocating a rush to the local bar. My point is simply: salt creates thirst. This world will only look for the living water if we first, as followers of Jesus, provide the thirst to follow Him. Craig Groeschel, in his book Think Ahead, writes, “When you know who you are, you know what to do.”  

Want to be the Jesus you’ve always dreamed of being? Start with being a “do-gooder!”