Being Like Jesus

And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw his glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.  (John 1:14)

   What does it mean "to be like Jesus"???

   The Holy Spirit has saved us a lot of time researching and listing all the character traits of Jesus by summing up what it means "to be like Jesus" in the verse quoted above.

   If people will look at Jesus, they'll see what God is like.  The same holds true for you and me.  When people look at us, they should be able to see what Jesus is like.  People will form their opinions about Christ by what they see in you and me.  If you exhibit both grace and truth, you will be like Jesus. 

   Although you can find lots of examples of grace in the Old Testament, it is overshadowed by the truth.  The Pharisees never taught about grace, only truth.  We need to see that grace and truth do not contradict one another; rather they are intertwined.  You cannot do justice to one without the other. 

   Where do you find yourself with regard to grace and truth?  Do you have them both in balance, or do you emphasize one to the detriment of the other?  If you know a truth about someone that is negative in nature and withold spreading that truth around, you are showing grace.  Negative truth pulls people down; whereas grace builds people up.  List some ways you can show grace to someone while upholding the truth. 

   Jesus always exercised grace and truth in perfxect balance.  Can we do any less?

Thought for the Day: Being like Jesus requires grace and truth in perfect balance.