Let’s all be more like Jesus

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “What the world needs now”

Our Bible verse for today: “Love consists in this: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, if God loved us in this way, we also must love one another.” 1 John 4:10-11 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Let’s all be more like Jesus”

Charles Sheldon was a pastor and author in the late 1800s. He wrote what he called “sermon stories” for his Sunday night services. These were simple stories illustrating Biblical truth by asking the question “What would Jesus Do?” He then applied that question to the various fictitious characters in his stories. Ultimately, Sheldon used this theme and some of those stories to write the novel “In His Steps: What would Jesus Do?” That book was published in 1896 and it is still in print today. It has sold over 50 million copies, making it one of the best-selling books of all time.

In the novel, a Pastor by the name of Henry Maxwell challenges his congregation to not take any action, for an entire year, without first asking the question “What would Jesus do in this situation?” And then, whatever the answer to that question is, that is the action the person was to take. The story then follows a variety of characters as they attempt to live an entire year guided by the question “What would Jesus do?”

It’s a fascinating story and it is exactly the point the Apostle John was making in 1 John 4:10-11. Jesus set the example for us. Jesus had a winsome, compelling personality and He radiated love. That was so true that sinners flocked to be with Him. The outcasts, the downtrodden, the sick and the hurting, they all wanted to be with Jesus.

Winsome, compelling, radiating love. That was Jesus and it should be true of us as well. As Christians we are to be like Christ – and I love to be around people who are. This is all about loving on purpose. Jesus loved on purpose and it is what made Him such a compelling and attractive personality. We should all want to be more like that. It is what the world needs from us.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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