September 27
Isaiah 51:1-53:12; Ephesians 5:1-33; Psalm 69:19-36; Proverbs 24:7
Ephesians 5 tells us to be "imitators of God." Similarly, Romans 8:29 tells us to be conformed to the likeness of Christ. We can see some of the ways that should be exhibited in Ephesians 5 when we are told to love like him, pursue holiness like him, walk in the light like him, be wise like him, and even submit like him. Our lives should be living, breathing examples of who God is. But as we look at Isaiah 53 and Psalm 69, it may take us in directions we do not want to go.
Isaiah 53 prophesying about the Servant, Jesus, describes him being despised, rejected, suffering, afflicted, and ultimately his death. Further, Psalm 69 speaks of Jesus being surrounded by enemies and the gall and vinegar he drank on the cross. If we are going to conform to the likeness of Christ, it not only involves attitudes we want to embrace but also suffering, rejection, and pain. If we are going to follow Jesus, it means following him wherever he takes us, trusting that even in the suffering, we will experience his power, presence, joy, and peace. So let us continually conform to Christ in all areas of our lives.
God my Father, help me to conform to the likeness of your son in all areas of my life. Help me to follow wherever you take me and to embrace your values instead of the values of the world. Amen.
Question: How could you more fully conform your life to Christ?
Ephesians 5 tells us to be "imitators of God." Similarly, Romans 8:29 tells us to be conformed to the likeness of Christ. We can see some of the ways that should be exhibited in Ephesians 5 when we are told to love like him, pursue holiness like him, walk in the light like him, be wise like him, and even submit like him. Our lives should be living, breathing examples of who God is. But as we look at Isaiah 53 and Psalm 69, it may take us in directions we do not want to go.
Isaiah 53 prophesying about the Servant, Jesus, describes him being despised, rejected, suffering, afflicted, and ultimately his death. Further, Psalm 69 speaks of Jesus being surrounded by enemies and the gall and vinegar he drank on the cross. If we are going to conform to the likeness of Christ, it not only involves attitudes we want to embrace but also suffering, rejection, and pain. If we are going to follow Jesus, it means following him wherever he takes us, trusting that even in the suffering, we will experience his power, presence, joy, and peace. So let us continually conform to Christ in all areas of our lives.
God my Father, help me to conform to the likeness of your son in all areas of my life. Help me to follow wherever you take me and to embrace your values instead of the values of the world. Amen.
Question: How could you more fully conform your life to Christ?
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