In the footsteps of Jesus—Live as Jesus lived

To live as Jesus lived is about a transformed character.
One writer as has defined character: the inner reality and quality in which thoughts, speech, decisions, behaviours and relations are rooted. And when it comes to character the fundamental question is: Who are you no one else is looking?
Bill Hull wrote:
We are called to take seriously the character description of Jesus in the Gospels and Philippians 2:5-8. We are expected to take on that same character and thus influence people around us in the same way Jesus influenced others… The gospel connects belief and behaviour.
The attitude described by Paul is one of humble servant-hood, obedience to God’s purposes. It’s an attitude defined by a character that knows itself, is not arrogant, and has nothing to prove. So often, if the truth were told, human character has to be shored up by power and position. It’s often surface only, and it’s true nature kept deeply hidden. But the gospel brings hope. Jesus showed another way.
Dallas Willard said:
Widespread transformation of character through wisely disciplined discipleship to Christ can transform our world.
How do we develop true Christian character?
If we over spiritualise the idea of Christian character our list would probably look like this:
Pray a lot; read the Bible a lot (preferably in the original languages or at least a very old translation that’s difficult to understand; witness to everyone no matter how hard it is; give all your money to the church.
Now said like that it sounds awful I know, and it hides some if the important truths that we all need to work on. It’s important that we talk with God about our lives, i.e. pray; it’s important that we read the Bible so that we can listen to what God says to us through his word; it’s crucial that we share our story with others so that they too can come to know the love and forgiveness that we’ve experienced; and it’s the way we use our money if often a clue to what’s really important to us. But Christian character is a deeper work of God. To some extent these things are surface issues, they are the result of our character not the sum of our character.
Three Character Qualities
These are just a starting point.
#1 Authenticity
Definition: reliable, trustworthy, genuine.
The authentic Christian character is one that is truly Christ-like. It bears the hallmark of someone who has been with Jesus. Authentic is not fake. It is not made-up to look like something it is not. It is genuine, the real McCoy. Developing authentic character takes time and discipline. It simply cannot be rushed. There may be years of inauthentic character to be demolished.
#2 Integrity
This flows naturally from authenticity. Once we begin to rebuild our character in authentic ways, seeking to follow the example of Jesus in what we think as well as what we do, we see the need for our lifestyles to reflect our faith.
Give me and undivided heart cried the Old Testament poet.
Jesus said we can’t serve two masters and James said beware the double-minded man. Integrity demands a joined up life.
#3 Loyalty
First and foremost to Jesus. Again it flows from the integrity and authenticity.
It means we ask the question “what would Jesus do,” and then we do it! Instead of theories we develop practices. I believe that as we commit to develop these character qualities in our lives, as we live out the implication of them, we will see change. Maybe more so in ourselves than in others, but we see a change.
How do you build character?
Character is built by living out your values, Christian character is built by living out Christ’s values. Two things contribute to this process.
#1 Truth
Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven Life talks about being transformed by the truth.
The Spirit of God, says Warren, uses the Word of God to make us like the Son of God.
In other words, we take on the character of Jesus by the work of his Spirit as we expose ourselves to the truths in the Bible.
In order for this to happen you must:
1. Accept its authority
2. Assimilate its truth
3. Apply its principles
#2 Trouble
No one looks for trouble in his or her life. Most of us know it’s coming, we just don’t know when it’s going to turn up! How we respond to trouble says a lot about our character. If we give in straight away, our character lacks strength, if we give in quickly, perhaps our character lacks depth. If we twist and turn constantly changing direction, perhaps our character lacks focus.
There are all sorts of reasons why you may be facing trouble in your life right now. Some of those reasons require you to take action. It may be you need to change some aspect of your lifestyle, it may be that you need simply to stop doing whatever you are doing that’s bringing trouble into your life. I don’t know. Maybe it’s just a consequence of living a Christian life in a fallen world. Whatever it is, you know this simple truth: Fire refines. To get at the most precious metal you need to drive away the dross. And trouble can do that in our lives. If we allow God to use the trouble we face to refine our lives what will emerge will be the precious metal of a Christ-like character.
You cannot rush character development as we’ve already said, it takes time. A lot of time, a lifetime of time.
Why build character?
In short, character determines influence. If you want to influence your friends, work-colleagues, family members and neighbours for the kingdom of God, then you need to live out the life of Jesus in front of them. Words will only ever be a part of the story. Do you think people were attracted to Jesus just because of his words? They came to see the miracles that’s true, they were amazed by his teaching that’s true too. But they were touched by his character, by the compassion he showed them, the time he gave to them and the love he showered upon them.
He told his disciple to go out and change the world. To influence others for the sake of the kingdom. But influence opportunities can come unexpectedly. And when they do, you must be ready. You can’t suddenly turn on Christian character at the flick of a switch. It must be deeply ingrained.
Have you noticed how long God invested in people before he used them? Abraham was in his seventies, Moses was in his eighties. Joseph spent years in prison, Daniel spent years in exile, and David spent time in Saul’s service. Paul spent 15 years in preparation.
Time is never in short supply when it comes to the work of God in our lives.
I’m convinced that the world will not be won by programmes, but by individual Christians living out authentic Christ-like lives in their communities. We are not perfect; we will not be perfect in this life. But we are sons and daughters of the Most High God and we should live in the light of that call.