Jesus Christ: A Grand Mirror

Who, in their right mind, would eschew being praised by the public? Why wouldn’t a person desire to be lauded and applauded by the masses — even if it meant sacrificing one’s soul? This is one of the central themes promoted by secular culture. It’s most visible personalities routinely demonstrate this “morality on the sacrificial altar for fame” mentality. Why is it that Christians, who are called to adopt a more sublime mindset, fall for the trap?

I encourage the reader to slowly consume Titus 2, verses 1 through 8. The apostle Paul calls on the young preacher to exhibit exemplary Christ-like behavior and thought, and to teach others to do the same. Older gentlemen and women ought to model such virtue to the younger generation. Notice the trend: mature Biblical Christians must adequately model Christianity proper as an example to imitate. Nowhere in the Scriptures are believers called to reproduce the conduct and mentality of sinners. The opposite is true. Such imitation is to be shunned in favor of an exclusively Christly conduct and thought. (Romans 12:1–2; Philippians 3)

At the risk of being redundant, I’ll ask again: Why are many Christians inclined to follow the lead of sinners? Could it be that we have not taken heed to the Bible’s revelation, as it states in 2 John 2:15–17:

“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.”

This directly exposes why many nominal Christians refuse to read the Gospels. Christ is a mirror which exposes the sins we wish to continue engaging in, the same sins Jesus calls us to discard for His sake. (2 Corinthians 5:15)

If the reader’s role models are not demonstrating Christ-like behavior, it is high time to discontinue such flattery and to look unto Christ as the role model for daily living. Read the Gospels, imitate Jesus.

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14