It's a thought I have been wrestling with for a few months. Over the last few months, when someone hurt me or acted unkind, whether they intended to hurt me or not, I would think, "I don't want to be like them." Then Holy Spirit corrected me and said, "Be Like me." To which I responded, "Okay." So I worked on focusing on Jesus and less on other mistakes and how those mistakes can hurt others. A week or so later another person did something silly that also irritated me and again I thought about how I don't want to be like them. Again, Holy Spirit reminded me to be like Jesus instead. Be like Jesus because Jesus is God in human form, and therefore a human example of what God The Father desires from His people.
In my Bible reading plan, I am currently reading through the Gospels and Jesus's earthly ministry. I have also been watching "The Chosen." Watching this series has been a beautiful visual of the Gospel, and I feel it adding to and strengthening my relationship with The Father.
All this to say that it got me thinking about what passages in the Bible speak of Jesus's character and write them down for myself and share them with you. The first one that most will think of is Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law." When we have an active relationship with God and are actively growing in our faith, these are the signs that the world around us will see and know that God is real and loves us.
Philippians 4:8-9, "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or soon in me - put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." We are to spend our time, energy and thoughts on things of God and not of the world. Now, neither of these passages are describing Jesus. But like I said a minute ago, they describe what we as believers ought to focus on and demonstrate to the people around us.
"Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him." 1 John 4:7-9.
"When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, "Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. Where have you laid him? he asked. "Come and see, Lord," they replied. Jesus wept. John 11:32-35. You can read for yourself the rest of the story of how Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave.
When Holy Spirit first told me to write this entry/post about the characteristics that Jesus demonstrated. He told me that the first one was compassion. Which is demonstrated in John 11:32-35. When I googled the definition of compassion, it says, "Sympathetic, pity and concern for the sufferings or misfortunes of others." I think Holy Spirit is trying to send me a message. 😉 Haven't been as compassionate with hubby as of late. Today, though He gave me a few chances to show him compassion and for that I am grateful.
What messages is He trying to send you today friend? And are you willing to listen and obey?
I pray this post finds you well rested and ready for the next week and blesses you in whatever ways you need today.
God Bless
~Hannah
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