One of the happiest yet most challenging memories of college life is internship. Otherwise known as On-the-Job training, internship is a requirement to earn a college degree. It is during these couple of hundreds of hours of training, do the student get to experience applying the knowledge he gained in school, and what the real world looks like.
As followers of Jesus, we are in a continuous on the job training to be like our Lord Jesus Christ. We are being called to imitate HIm, and that means we are to level up in our faith, by continuously applying what we learn in our individual bible meditation and reflection, and in listening to sermons or homilies.
“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2
While the Ten Commandments may seem simplistic to some, we all know that as we grow our faith, abiding in Christ goes beyond keeping these commands. It means following Jesus’ example. It means choosing to do what He would have chosen to do if He were in our place. It means keeping His words in our hearts.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17
Hard as it may seem to love the unlovable, go the extra mile, and not exact vengeance on those who intentionally hurt us, we are assured that we are more than capable to do these things. Our capability lies in our love and trust in our dear Savior who has promised to strengthen us, and help us endure challenges we meet.
When we know that our true source of goodness is Christ, and our deep desire to please Him, we can live our faith and apply what we have learned from Him day by day. And yes, we may not do it right all the time. Yes, we will still stumble. But we are assured that His mercies are new every morning, and that in Him, we can find the strength to become the best version of ourselves — closest to reflecting Christ’s image.
That when we mimic Jesus Christ, we do not only get to show obedience to God, and love to our fellowmen, we also get to experience God’s peace, and the abundant life that He offers.
“He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. For God shows no partiality.” Romans 2:6-11
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Ephesians 5:1-21 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: What are your struggle areas in applying what you have learned from Christ? How can prayer help you overcome these challenges?
Conversation with the Lord: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for empowering us to follow your footsteps, and helping us endure the challenges to walking with you. Thank you that you gave us a new life, and a new purpose. Give us the confidence to continue seeking you, and applying what we have learned from you. Amen.Â
