From the time we are growing up it seems that we are always ‘modeling’ after someone or something. We are very impressionable people. From how we dress, to how we speak, eventually to even how we believe. Our lives are ever being shaped and molded by our culture & surroundings. But the real question for a true believer in Christ is… “Who are you modeling?”. If we are all modeling after something or someone the question we must ask ourselves is who does my life look like? Let’s take a look at this scripture.

Christ Is Our Example
1 Peter 2:21 For [as a believer] you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you may follow in His footsteps. 22 He committed no sin, nor was deceit ever found in His mouth. 23 While being reviled and insulted, He did not revile or insult in return; while suffering, He made no threats [of vengeance], but kept entrusting Himself to Him who judges fairly. 24 He personally carried our sins in His body on the cross [willingly offering Himself on it, as on an altar of sacrifice], so that we might die to sin [becoming immune from the penalty and power of sin] and live for righteousness; for by His wounds you [who believe] have been healed. 25 For you were continually wandering like [so many] sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

Here we see that Peter is describing that Christ gave us the perfect example to model our lives by in this passage of scripture. We are so quick because of how culture, tv, family members, etc. have modeled for us that we find it ‘normal’ to lash out and react to every thing done wrong to us. But we see where Christ, who took on OUR SINS, though He had NEVER committed ANY SINS…was able to take the insults and the ridicule even the threats from the very people He was giving up His life for voluntarily… don’t you think that gave Him every right to be angry or upset. Yet here He was standing with His head up… taking it so that WE COULD DIE TO SIN and LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY for Him! What a beautiful example.

I believe so many times we make our Christian journey so much more complicated then it really is. God has laid out how we should live so plainly throughout the Word, yet this is one of the main reasons the enemy loves to keep us busy and distracted so that we don’t have time to see what God is speaking to us! The more you are in the Word of God the more you crave the Word of God! Especially once you reach a place where the Word comes alive to you and words begin to speak directly to your heart! There is nothing more amazing than that!

Philippians 4:8 Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome, whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart]. 9 The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.

Another great scripture that God has gifted us with as a model of following after Him is this one. We should all live a life of TRUTH, HONOR, RESPECT, PURITY, LOVE, PEACE, the list can go on and on but ultimately things that are talked about and confirmed in God’s Word is how each of us should be modeling our life. I love how the scripture says, “Center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart”! These attributes become who we are in our day to day lives. So, when you are in the daily grind of life ask yourself, “Who am I modeling today?”. How you respond to your coworkers, your spouse and even your children is making a representation of someone or something. Let’s be sure that we are modeling after Jesus and nothing else!

I just want to encourage you to keep pressing into God & don’t let anything trip you up and throw you off course. Every day we keep STANDING FIRM and NOT being MOVED by our circumstances and surroundings! If Jesus can take it on the chin and not let them get to Him…. we have to learn to be more LIKE JESUS!