If you were asked to point out the major theme of the New Testament, what would you say?
Would you say it is all about Jesus?
His life, death, and resurrection.
About knowing Him.
And, becoming more like Him.
If so, then you would be right.
“Love one another, as I have loved you.”
John 15:12
Would You Like to Be More Like Jesus? (Learn how!) Click To Tweet
Would You Like to Be More Like Jesus? (Learn how!)
But what does Jesus show and teach us in the New Testament?
There are two main characteristics He focuses on – humility and love.
And, I believe He ties the two together because it is easier to love when we are humble.
First… He teaches us to learn to fellowship with God and with each other.
Whenever we are arrogant, we are usually self-centered and tend to look at others as inferior.
However, when we are humble, we can have the attitude Paul talks about in Philippians,
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
(Philippians 2:3-4)
When we have a genuine concern about those around us, we start to discover what love is all about.
When we have a genuine concern about those around us, we start to discover what love is all about. Click To Tweet
Second… He teaches us to love others.
Look at the characteristics of love:
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
(1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a friend (or many friends) with those characteristics?
Are you that kind of friend to others?
Also… the Apostle Paul has something to say about how to be more like Jesus.
Paul says it doesn’t matter what he can accomplish, if he doesn’t have love, then he has accomplished nothing.
If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. And, if I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1-3
Paul gets it.
When he sold out to Jesus, he wanted to be more like Him every day.
Jesus said we are to love each other, so Paul put that at the top of his own list of priorities.
Jesus said we are to love each other, so Paul put that at the top of his own list of priorities. Click To Tweet
Jesus showed us what the ultimate of love looks like – He died for those who didn’t love Him.
His love was shown through obedience to His Father’s will.
Indeed, He had a love for man and a love for His Father.
Application Questions for Our Lives
Question One – Where is the needle on your ‘love meter’?
Question Two – Are you the type of friend with the characteristics of love mentioned earlier?
Next Question – What is your opinion of others?
Question Four – Do you feel their needs are just as important (or more important) like yours?
Question Five – Do you get upset whenever others don’t reach out to you (but you don’t reach out to others either)?
Do you get upset whenever others don’t reach out to you (but you don’t reach out to others either)? Click To Tweet
Another Question – When carrying on a conversation with others, do you mostly talk about yourself and what is going on in your own life; or, do you ask leading questions to encourage the other person to share their concerns with you?
Question Seven – When others talk about things that do not interest you, are you rude and impatient, or do you respectfully and patiently listen to what they have to say?
Final Question – Does your body language say, “Hurry up and finish?” or do you interrupt them, or just walk away?
Final Thoughts
Most of us have heard it said that we, as believers, “live in the world, but not of the world.”
That means we have a choice – we can adapt to the worldly attitudes, or we can adopt the characteristics of Jesus and obey His instructions – to love.
The scriptures provide many instructions that help us in our relationships with others, but they are also instructions to help us enjoy our faith in the Lord.
Jesus said we are to love others as He has loved us.
What changes will you make to become more obedient to His command?
Jesus said we are to love others as He has loved us. Click To Tweet
Prayer to be More Like Jesus
“Heavenly Father, I pray that I will be more like Jesus. Teach me how to love in the same way He loves. He walked and talked the way that I want to walk and talk. Would You give me the grace and the desire to become more like Him?”
About the Author:
Don has been teaching Bible classes for over 40 years and a Christian blogger for the last 7 years.
He has been married to Debbie for 50 years and has two children and seven grandchildren. He is overwhelmed and humbled daily by the Lord’s presence.
You can check out Don’s blog at https://utvolwoody.wordpress.com/
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