image from gotquestions.org
I’ve had a slew of mentors in my life, although many likely had no clue. I’d watch preachers who gave me tips as I listened, like Ron Keller. I followed the example of sales people, like Jim in real estate. I’ve found that certain apostles give me tips: Peter who taught me that impulsiveness can both bless and curse us: Paul who showed the rational and planning side of faith. Herb Read taught me the subsurface dimension of pastoring. Each had traits that exceeded my abilities in their arena, but I could see myself coming close to them.
But did you notice the absence of one in that list? Jesus. I can’t match that mentor.
However, he demands that very accomplishment in our Challenge series, on the absolute statements of Jesus. Notice the definite demand in Luke 6:40, “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.” Not much wiggle room there. Greg Sidders, my friend and fellow pastor described Jesus as “God in a bod.” I have the bod part down, but I’ll never reach the God part. Nor will you. Nor Greg.
I can’t match the divine nature of Jesus, because “…the Word (Jesus) was God” (John 1:1). I can’t match his never sinning, even though tempted, “tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15). I can’t match his level of sacrifice, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God” (1 Peter 3:18).
So, it seems right to not expect to match Jesus as a mentor, but we do have an achievable option.
We can accept the opportunity to be Christlike, “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son” (Romans 8:29 NLT). We maybe not be sinless, but we can sin less, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:8-9.) And we can choose a sacrificial lifestyle in contrast to our me-first default, which we talked about in our previous challenge.
Let me play with words and their connotations just a bit. I strive to live the Christian life, but this aim may be too low. This may be a subtle difference, but maybe we should strive to be like Christ, from Romans 8 above. I suspect the difference will challenge us. The “Christian life” seems to focus on behavior. Living like Christ probes deeper into our heart, our motives, our attitudes. It embodies the essence of who Jesus is: the divine Son of God who abhorred sin and willingly sacrificed.
Yes, quite a challenge for us followers of Jesus. Let’s be like him. Christlike. Consistently.
Kick Starting the Application
Did the distinction between living the Christian life and living like Christ touch you? How can you better do that as you follow him?