Week 4 | Thursday

Read: Ephesians 4:21-23

Being made new is a necessary part of becoming more complete. When we’re made new, the old life is gone, and the new live has come. When we believe in Christ, saying, “Jesus, I want you in my life,” it’s not a Jesus AND decision. Jesus and my job, Jesus and my family, Jesus and my social life, Jesus and my entertainment choices… “Jesus, I want you in my life” is quite literal -- it’s a Jesus IN decision. Jesus in my job, Jesus in my family, Jesus in my social life, Jesus in my entertainment choices…

This extends beyond our work, relationships, and recreation. “All systems are go” includes our external life but also points to our internal life. Our physical, financial, mental, emotional, and spiritual health. God wants us to be whole and learn what His word means.

Early in what is arguably Jesus’ most famous message, the Sermon on the Mount, he takes well-understood sayings and principles and turns them on their heads. “You have heard it said…but I tell you….” Jesus wasn’t rewriting the rule book. He crossed out the unapproved revisions and edits and returned God’s word to the original manuscript. In other words, he was getting back to the heart of God. So, instead of “seek vengeance,” he said, “say prayers.” Instead of, “don’t murder,” he said, “don’t mutter insults.” In doing so, Jesus drew people back to the Shema, the foundational law of God. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).

Becoming more like Jesus includes reading about him in the Bible, learning to recognize patterns in his life, then learning how to develop those patterns in our lives. This script-flipping action is one such pattern. Jesus saw where the world opposed God, and he turned it around. We can also embrace this practice by considering the four questions we looked at earlier this week.

Who is God?

What has He done (particularly through Jesus)?

With that in mind, who am I?

In light of that, what do I do?

If we flip those questions around, they show us how to tackle challenges that come our way as we pattern our lives after Jesus.

What have I done? 

With that in mind, who am I?  

What has God done (particularly through Jesus)?

In light of that, who is God?

As you read your Bible, pay attention to what Jesus says and does. Ask God to show you patterns in Jesus’ life, and work your way through the first list of questions. When you’re struggling, work your way through the second list. In doing so, you will start and end with who God is as revealed in Jesus through the Bible.