Jesus Our Model

We all have heroes. A hero is defined as a person of distinguished courage or ability, admired for their brave deeds and excellent qualities.

While I was growing up, one of my heroes was Sinbad because he saved the crew and princess from being eaten by the Cyclops. Another was Geronimo for his fierceness and bravery. As I grew older, my heroes evolved to the characters in books by Louis L'Amour and Edgar Rice Burroughs. All these heroes had traits and qualities that I admired. Some were soft-spoken and of strong character; others were full of life and adventure. These characters helped shape who I am today, although some of the traits that I desired have not been as forthcoming as others. Even when I picked out the character traits that I wanted, my mind would be at war with my self-discipline or values that had already shaped my character.

Isn't this what Paul was talking about when he said in Romans 7:14–15 (paraphrased) we are fulll of ourselves and selfish? This is the way we were born. I now know the differences and want to change, but I continue to do the things I don't want to do. We must be careful not to beat ourselves up about these things which contribute to our self-worth, but, at the same time, we must recognize these things so we can be healed, changed, and transformed.

A hero always inspires you to be better at the character trait or accomplishment that you admired. Who your heroes are will shape the traits and actions that you will often begin to emulate or copy. We who call ourselves Christian must really begin to take a look at how we emulate or copy Jesus. We are to practice and desire to give testimony of Jesus in our lives.

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,

that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:2).

If we are to take in the whole council of God, His Word, then let’s see what His Word has to say.

But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written,

"Be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:15–16).

God is saying for us to be holy. Peter is quoting Leviticus in the Old Testament and telling the pilgrims, or strangers, to be holy. The pilgrims are made up of converted Jews and Gentiles, as there is no distinction to a particular nation. Peter is, in context, addressing the children of God—that’s us. Children of God are regularly called saints or holy persons in God's Word, and holiness in the ethical and spiritual meaning of the word is used to describe a trait or action of their life and conduct. To be holy or a saint is to be separated from the world and set apart for God.

"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people,

that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).

Does God tell us to be holy or saints so we might have salvation through His Son Jesus? No, He doesn’t. God is saying through Peter that we are to proclaim or publicly declare what God has done for us. He wants us to declare how we have been changed by our encounter with Him, and He wants us to tell whoever will listen. Having eternal life is now a perk or benefit of being a servant to God. Salvation now comes to be redemption and restoration from satan’s deception and lies that have in effect shaped us from the time we were born.

—Pastor Jim

"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;

bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another;

even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do" (Colossians 3:12–14).

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