Sunbeams Through My Window: Part 7

Sunbeams Through My Window: Part 7
-Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow

The life that Jesus has for us is not a copycat life. His life is an example to us, but it is an example that only He can live out through us. If we could live as Jesus lived, without Jesus, then we wouldn’t need Jesus. That is why Jesus said, “Without me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).

The Christian life is not an imitation, but a participation in Christ (“For we have become partakers of Christ…” Hebrews 3:14). The great dilemma of which we have been speaking resolves itself into most simple terms when we grasp the distinction between imitation and participation. For, what is impossible to me as an imitator of Christ becomes perfectly natural as a participant of Christ. -F. J. Huegel

Painters have made imitations of famous paintings, but an imitation is far from the real thing. The Christian life—Christ living His life in us and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit—is real life. The word “imitator” as it is used in Scripture means to be a follower. Paul said that we should follow him as he followed Christ.

Jesus said, “All those who want to be my disciples must come and follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And if they follow me, the Father will honor them” (John 12:26 NLT).

Follow what is right and good. Pursue a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness (1 Timothy 6:11 NLT).

#sunbeamsthroughmywindow #meetinginthemeadow #roylessin #followGod 

©2023 Roy Lessin, Meeting in the Meadow. Photo by Marina Bromley. Used with permission, all rights reserved.