Do you ever watch people sitting
around a table engaged in conversation? Do you notice the way they
unconsciously mimic each other’s posture? This is just a minor example of how
we become like those with whom we pass the time of day. During our lifetime among family and friends we pick up mannerisms, habits, patterns of speech
and ideologies without even knowing.
Jesus said “Abide in me and I
will abide in you”. Live with me He says, know my thoughts, pick up my
mannerisms, be with me, become like me.
This is more, much more than a
daily bible reading (which is, clearly, a good thing to do). It's more than
just learning about Jesus so you can imitate him, (though Paul says “Imitate me
even as I imitate Christ”). It's more than spending time with other Christians
where you can learn how to do church. All these things are good but living with
Jesus is so much more. We can practice the behaviour which we know is right as
Peter instructs in his 2nd letter, and there is an element of doing
it until you become it. But it is the constant presence of the Living God that
we need.
To live with Jesus means having God
in the person of the Holy Spirit as a constant companion, a friend, always
there to talk to, always there to help, guide, comfort, support, encourage,
empower, and to correct. Then sometimes we just need to simply BE with
him.
On the other hand, Psalm 1:1
reminds us: “Blessed is the one who does not walk with the wicked or stand
with sinners or sit in the company of mockers”.
So, brothers and sisters in the
Lord, let us decide today who’s company we will keep. Let us decide to
live with Jesus – after all, just think what he went through to make it
possible.
“May grace and peace cascade over
you as you live in the rich knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” (2 Peter 1:2)
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Thank you for reading my blog, and I pray you will be blessed with a closer walk with Jesus as you ponder these messages.