We live in a world that tells us to “be true to yourself” and to put yourself before anyone else. To “be whoever you want to be” and ignore what all the negative people say.
There was a man who was very true to himself, in that he was the truest of them all. BUT he always put others before himself; he was who his Father created him to be; and, he spent most if not all of his time with those who, today, we would call ‘negative’ people, outcasts, the poor, the unfortunate.
You know how I’m talking about… it’s Jesus.
He is M E R C I F U L and P A T I E N T
Jesus was (and still is) known to show mercy to those who were shunned in public. He spent time with the sick, and performed miracles to make them whole again. He shepherded men from all walks of life, and made them his disciples. He was also compassionate to those who sentenced him to death, praying for them on the cross. Not only was Jesus merciful on earth, but his Heavenly Father is merciful right now and until He returns. As Christians, God has been merciful to us because we have asked for forgiveness, and saved us from eternal death - he didn’t have to, but that was the purpose of Jesus’ death and resurrection. To provide salvation to everyone. God is, also, merciful to those who are not yet saved. Think of your family, friends, work colleagues even. We were all sinners before we were saved. Right now, God is being merciful to those who are not yet saved, and that is one of the most loving and patient things someone can ever be and do.
He is G R A C I O U S and K I N D
To be “gracious” is to be favourable, kind and compassionate, all of which Jesus was when he was on earth. And continues to be as he sits on the throne beside his Heavenly Father. Throughout the Bible, men and women often prayed for God to be gracious to them and thanked God for being gracious - something we are all guilty of not doing enough. God is full of compassion, it says so in Psalm 145:8 and as Christians, we can experience this through salvation. God has been so long-suffering for those who are not yet saved, or who have maybe fallen away from Him. He is so patient and his kindness overflows when we don’t listen to what he says. He calls us to be kind and compassionate towards others as well.
He is G O O D and L O V I N G
Jesus was good, but not just good. He was perfect. All of his works were good, in the eyes of God, and his attitude towards life and people was loving. These are attributes that, yes, a perfect person can and will always have, however, through prayer and studying God’s word, we as Christians can show that same love and goodness towards others - whether it be a stranger or someone you work with; a close family member or even someone who has caused you grief in the past. Christ was loving and he told us to “love [our] neighbours” therefore it is a command, one that in the long run works out for our good but also, it glorifies God because we are doing what His Son once did when he was on earth.
He is F A I T H F U L and S T I L L
Last, but not least, God is a faithful God and when we are meditating upon His Word and speaking to Him directly through prayer, He is still with us. Psalm 46:10 says that we are to be still and personally know that He is God, our faithful and loving God. Jesus is someone we are to look to as a ‘role model’ because he was ‘still’ on many occasion when life became stormy - from the Garden of Gethsemane to the journey on the boat. Through the strength that our amazing God provides, all we need to do is believe in Him, and sit with Him regularly in prayer saying, “O Lord, I am oppressed, take my side and be my security” (Isaiah 38:14, AMP).
So, how can we be more like Jesus and less like what our sinful hearts and minds what us to be?
“Lord, help me be
A little more like mercy, a little more like grace
A little more like kindness, goodness, love, and faith
A little more like patience, a little more like peace
A little more like Jesus, a little less like me”
This post was inspired by one of my favourite songs right now, “Less Like Me” by Zach Williams
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