Being a Good Christian Instead of Being Christ-like
January 11, 2012
Over the last couple of Sundays we have been talking about discipleship. Discipleship is all about my seeking to become more like Jesus. Of course, it stands to reason that if I am to become more like Jesus, then He is the one whose example I should seek to follow.
President Calvin Coolidge once invited friends from his hometown to dine with him at the White House. Unsure of their table manners, the guests decided to imitate the president. They watched closely to see which utensils he used, what foods he ate and when. Their strategy seemed to succeed until coffee was served. Coolidge poured some coffee into his saucer. They did the same. He added sugar and cream. His guests did, too. Then the president bent over and put his saucer on the floor for the cat!
Be careful whose example you follow. It is fine to look to be encouraged by a person who is a “good Christian,” but while I can be blessed to receive their encouragement, I am not to follow their example. It is not enough to follow the example of a person who is a “good Christian,” because we aren’t called to be a “good Christian,” we are called to be like Jesus. Therefore, the only example worth following is that of Jesus.
