DO NOT be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may prove what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
We live in a world far removed from the Garden of Eden. We live in a world driven by success, ambition, wealth, prestige and power. We use the tools of money and beauty to achieve our ends. We live for the I, the Self.
As a Christian, what is my life supposed to be? Well, Jesus became man to teach me just that.
Religion has taught me to conform to the teachings of the CHURCH but has religious beliefs conformed me to a life in imitation of CHRIST?
I delved deep into the Gospels to search for my answers. Jesus is in the Gospels but He existed even before the world was created. In the Gospels, He became flesh like me.
The first thing that I discovered was that Jesus had a mission. He was sent. I too am sent into this world on a mission. As we all are. What is MY MISSION?
The second thing I discovered was that Jesus was OBEDIENT to His Father. He always consulted His Father about everything in prayer, early morning or late through the night. And did whatever He was told to do. Am I doing the Father's Will like Jesus? What is the Will of the Father for my life?
The third thing I discovered was that Jesus worked MIRACLES for different reasons. Sometimes it was to glorify God, sometimes out of compassion, sometimes to build up faith or in appreciation of the faith shown by the person. He did not work miracles to prove His claim of being the Son of God and refused to do signs and wonders when the skeptics challenged Him. In my life, do I have this trait of Jesus - to work miracles in the lives of others by my compassion in order to glorify God or build up faith in Jesus? Or am I always seeking signs and wonders and running after spectacular false prophets?
The fourth thing I discovered was that Jesus loved SINNERS even his enemies. He yearned to save them and He pleaded with them to turn away from sin. He rejoiced when they did. How do I behave towards my enemies? Is it FIGHT OR FLIGHT? Or do I FORGIVE like Jesus did?
The fifth thing I discovered was that Jesus loved MINIMALISM. For those who don't know what this means - it means simply LIVING SIMPLY. Jesus gave up everything, even his home and family, to preach, heal and save His people. He ate whatever was given to Him, stayed with whoever welcomed Him into their home, and had no belongings except what He wore on his body. (THE CHOSEN* shows Him with a backpack of tools and some odds and ends.) How can I best imitate Jesus in this area?
The student must always attempt to surpass the teacher, and St Paul pressed on to do just that. Although it is not possible to surpass JESUS, we can try to be like Him as much as possible. Slowly. Surely.
It is not only the consecrated and religious who take the vows of Poverty, Chastity and Obedience. Every Christian worth his salt and light should take these vows. All the saints did. Many were married but they still lived a life of poverty, chastity and obedience.
So I will not be conformed to the world, with its pursuit of wealth, glamour, vanity, prosperity, pleasure but be transformed into the imitation of CHRIST, OBEDIENT only to the Will of the Father, doing the MISSION He has entrusted to me, showing compassion to those He sends me and thus working MIRACLES in their lives. May my love for SINNERS give me great peace and joy and may I truly embrace a life of MINIMALISM by living simply so that others might simply live.
Read also:
https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/ways-jesus-lifestyle-can-help-you-thrive-in-quarantine.html
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