Look Like Jesus

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. [Romans 3.22]

Here we have it - faith is the only way to please God. It matters not whether we are Gentile or Jew. The only justification before God is found in faith.

BUT! Faith in Christ LOOKS a certain way! Faith in Christ looks like Christ. To believe in Jesus is to look and act like Jesus. There is an obedience in faith.

Nothing is more hypocritical than for one to say they believe one way and yet to live another. To say "I believe in Jesus," and yet not look and act like Jesus is the pinnacle of hypocrisy. In fact, to say "I believe in Jesus," and not look and act like Him, is just a lie.

We would all like to believe there is grace upon our unbelief, but there is not. There is indeed grace upon a lot of stuff in our lives, but not upon our unbelief. Grace is not possible without faith. Faith is the conduit through which grace travels. Without faith, there is no grace - and in faithlessness, it is impossible to please God.

The Church needs to come back to some hard lines on this. It is not all about just smiling anf feeling good about life all the time. Faith changes us and the circumstances around us. If we and our circumstances are not changed, then we may "claim" a lot of stuff, but not faith.

So, faith may not be such a popular topic after all. The word "faith" may indeed make a fine wall plaque and topic for sermons and teachings, but the word "faith" serves to remind us that "change" is part of our lives as TRUE believers. What "change?" The change in us that makes us look and act like Jesus.

Want some "red letter" proof?

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12]

Bottom line: LOOK LIKE JESUS!

Father, I realize I have looked like a lot of things, but not much like Jesus. Please forgive me this wrong and help me to see manifestation of Jesus through my life. May Your Kingdom come, May Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven...