The Joy of Following Jesus
December 28, 2008
Have you ever observed people as they endeavor to make their way through life? So many have no direction, misplaced values, and a self-originating sense or truth. By God’s grace, we Christians are not like that. We have direction (Prov. 16:9), a goal (1 Pet. 1:9), heaven-ordained values (Col. 3:12-17), and truth that is beyond ourselves (Jn. 17:17). We have all these through Jesus Christ, the only way to heaven and our single, solitary hope in this world and the one to come (Jn. 14:6; 1 Tim. 1:1). During this Season, the world is focused on Jesus. But they are looking at the infant, not the infinite. According to Scripture, joy comes not from a renewed nativity, but a renewed nature (2 Pet. 1:4). Our hope was born in Bethlehem (Matt. 2:1), but he matured beyond the “delivery room” and lived a life of service, involvement, and compassion (Matt. 9:35-36). If you look closely, friend, you can see how our lives must mirror the life of Jesus. We were born again through baptism (1 Pet. 3:21), but we are called beyond infancy to maturity (Heb. 5:11-14) — just as our Lord was. As I write this final “Nesmith Note” of 2008, I pray that we members of the West Broad Church of Christ will face 2009 with a renewed sense of joy, purpose, and accomplishment as we endeavor to the best of our ability to follow Jesus Christ. He provides us with direction, a goal, values, and truth. Let us do our utmost to realize these ourselves and share them with others! All the best to you and yours for a very Happy New Year! —JLNJR
