From the Elder's Pen CHRIST IS OUR EXAMPLE Past/Future Articles

Example means “copy” or “pattern”.  Examples show one the possibility of copying “the pattern”.  Jesus is our “copy”, the “pattern” for our life.  He has opened up the way, and he asks us to follow in his steps.  He is the perfect “model” for all of us to follow.

Christ is our example in obedience (Heb. 5:8-9), respecting the will of the father (John 6:38), baptism (Matt. 3:13-17), forgiveness (Luke 23:34), humility (I Peter 5:5-6), learning to work (John 9:4), fighting temptation (Matt. 4:1-11), and opposition to Satan and sin (I John 3:7-8).

Christ was obedient to the will of the father and was baptized, not of necessity, but he wanted to fulfill all God’s commandments.  He was tempted by the devil but met and resisted Satan’s attacks by saying, “it is written”.  After failing to get Jesus to sin, the devil left him and angels came and ministered unto Jesus.  God will also strengthen us when we are tempted and overcome our temptations.  God is our strength to overcome temptations if we ask him to help us.

Christ is our example in relation to life.  We cannot follow in his steps without going “forward”.  A Christian cannot stand still and follow Jesus Christ.  We must go forward, there is no danger of going beyond our Lord’s example in good works.

Bud Butcher, Elder