GraceCreates

Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. Philippians 3:17 (NIV)

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Sometimes when people ask me what I do for a living, I tell them I’m a professional observer. That’s what writers do; they observe.

As a journalist, I use the time going in and coming out of interviews to observe. What books are on the shelf? What pictures are behind the desk? How does he greet me? How does she interact with her staff? What insight can I gain through observation?

The truth is we’re all observers; it’s one of the ways we learn. Paul understood this and so he said if you want to see what a Jesus-one looks like, then observe me and “those who live according to the pattern we gave you” (Philippians 3:17 NIV).

There is no conceit in Paul. He knew God designed us to look for models and to follow examples, so he’s saying, “Look, I haven’t arrived yet, but I’m pressing toward the goal, so follow me and follow those who are living according the truth you were taught” (Philippians 3:13–14 NIV, author paraphrase).

Modern research affirms Paul’s insight into human nature. In general, it’s estimated that only about ten percent of us are able to take abstract ideas and produce tangible results without illustration or some sort of “hands on” model. And that’s why when we “go therefore,” we’re to teach people to observe all things in Jesus (based in Matthew 28:20 NKJV).

Words may be important to share certain concepts. Nevertheless, growing together is not found in sharing words alone, but in sharing life.

We see Jesus, and then Paul modeling Jesus, investing consistently in the lives of others. They shared life with others on a daily basis, so others could observe an example of how God reproduces himself in and through us as we trust in him.

Jon Walker is the author of “Growing with Purpose: Connecting with God Every Day.” This article is copyrighted 2010 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.

by Jon Walker

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. 2 Samuel 22:31 (NIV)

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We are not perfect; God is perfect

We are flawed; God is flawless.

God takes his perfection, mixes it with the blood of Jesus Christ, and paints his perfection over our imperfection.

God takes his flawlessness, couples it with his strength, and forges it to the flaws that weaken us.

What does this mean?

If you struggle with perfectionism, then ask God to help you deeply understand that he loves you unconditionally. You can not earn your way into his love because he freely gives it. You not only need not be perfect; there is no way you can be perfect. Praise God for Jesus.

“This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:22-24 NIV)

If you are frustrated with your flaws, then be honest with God. Ask him to help you see how he works through your flaws and accept your flaws as God’s way of keeping you dependent upon him.

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV)

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Jon Walker is the author of “Growing with Purpose: Connecting with God Every Day.” This article is copyrighted 2010 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.

by Jon Walker

I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different. (Romans 7:24-25 MSG)

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Despite his impeccable integrity, the Prophet Isaiah was overwhelmed with the ungodliness of his life when brought before the Truth. He saw his need for grace and cried, “There is no hope for me! I am doomed because every word that passes my lips is sinful, and I live among a people whose every word is sinful.” (Isaiah 6:5 TEV) Perhaps it was in this moment that Isaiah understood that even our greatest acts of righteousness and our most honest behaviors are like filthy rags when compared to God’s holy standards. (Isaiah 64:6)

Yet, Isaiah’s story shows that Jesus never intends to leave us in despair. His intent is to prepare us to receive God’s grace. Even as Isaiah is staggered by the revelation of his sin, Isaiah just as suddenly finds himself cleansed of his guilt and forgiven of his sins when he is touched by a burning coal from heaven’s altar. Isaiah 6:7 TEV) He is then energized for God’s purpose: “Then I heard the Lord say, “Whom shall I send? Who will be our messenger?” I answered, “I will go! Send me!” (Isaiah 6:8 TEV)

In the same way, our call to discipleship cleanses us and energizes us to follow Jesus. But we have to face the truth about ourselves, or the lie will constantly undermine our ability to follow Jesus.

In “The Cost of Discipleship,” Dietrich Bonhoeffer says, “In this question of truthfulness, what matters first and last is that a man’s whole being should be exposed, his whole evil laid bare in the sight of God. But sinful men do not like this sort of truthfulness, and they resist it with all their might. That is why they persecute it and crucify it. It is only because we follow Jesus that we can be genuinely truthful, for then he reveals to us our sin upon the cross. The cross is God’s truth about us, and therefore it is the only power which can make us truthful. When we know the cross we are no longer afraid of the truth.”

Jon Walker is the author of “Growing with Purpose: Connecting with God Every Day.” This article is copyrighted 2010 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.

By Jon Walker

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:17-18 (NIV)

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Jesus came to do whatever was necessary to cleanse us of our sins so that we could come home to the Father. Again and again, we see Jesus in the New Testament willing to use his power to heal; we see him willing to use his authority to cleanse.

If, while Earth-bound, Jesus showed compassion for people in need, why would he be any different today? The difference is not with him; it is with the lie within us that whispers God sent his son into the world to condemn it, not to save — a contradiction of God’s Word, which says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned ….” (John 3:17 NIV)

Can you hear the hiss of the serpent saying the yoke of Jesus is heavy and hard, and so we must hide from the Truth?

A man with a dreaded disease once came to Jesus and said, “Sir, if you want to, you can make me clean.”

Jesus reached out and touched the man, saying, “I do want to. Be clean!”

At once the man was healed of his disease. (based on Matthew 8:2-3 TEV)

Today, Jesus still says, “I do want to!”

He wants us to be with him in his kingdom. (John 17:24) His whole mission was to “rescue us from the present evil age.” (Galatians 1:4 NIV)

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Copyrighted 2010 by Jon Walker. Used by permission.