Church family, I have adapted the following devotion from the Institute for Creation Research (ICR) with my own thoughts and questions for you to study on your own for this week’s mid week lesson. Please read, study and pray over this and ask yourself how best to apply it to your life. Be Blessed and I look forward to live streaming again on Sunday!
“But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16)
Scripture admonishes us as Christians to be like our Lord and Savior in “all manner of conversation,” or all manner of life. We are His earthly witnesses, and we must so order our lives that we are an adequate reflection of Him.
• What are some ways that you have ordered your life in order to reflect the Lord?
• Have you ever resisted making a change in your life based on preaching, teaching or personal conviction but later found that it was the best thing for your life?
We are to be like Him in the purity of our lives. As our text points out, “Be ye holy; for I am holy.” “Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure” (1 John 3:3). “Follow…holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
Our daily walk and lives should be patterned after Him. “He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked” (1 John 2:6). “If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another” (1 John 1:7).
• Name some ways that we know that Jesus is pure, holy and walked in the light of God’s word that we should emulate…
• What is the biggest hurdle we face when trying to be like Jesus?
Furthermore, we are to be like Him in love. “Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God…for God is love” (1 John 4:7-8). We are to be willing to suffer unjustly without revenge, “because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth” (1 Peter 2:21-22).
• List some ways that Jesus loved people during His life on earth.
• Name some ways that Jesus loves us personally.
• Have you ever found it difficult to fully accept the love of God.
• How does loving others fit into being holy?
• Can I be holy without loving people like Jesus?
• What if I don’t like people?
Being like Him involves a life of service, as well. “If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:14-15).
Christ has forgiven each of us many times, even though our sins grieve Him deeply. He stands ready to forgive and restore fellowship, and so should we. With His help, we can emulate Him, even when we are wronged. “Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32). JDM
• It is often the case that the best way to serve people as an extension of loving God is to be a blessing to someone in a way that you have been blessed.
1 Peter 4:8–10 (NKJV) And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
• What are some gifts that God has given to you that you can turn around and give to someone else?
• Can you think of a way to give one of your gifts this week?
As you think about God calling us to be like Him, please take a few moments and pray.
• Ask God to show you how you can be more like Him.
• Ask God for His guidance in using your blessings to bless someone else
• Make a goal for yourself to do both of these this week.