Christ Our Example

There are many different aspects to what Jesus has accomplished for us. He is our substitute, our ransom, our victor, our example and so on. Let’s focus for a few moments on Christ as example, also called Christus Exemplar.

This isn’t the whole of Christ’s work, but it is an essential part of it. Too often American Christians reduce the Gospel to simply believing in a set of theological truths. But the Scripture teaches that there is no true discipleship without obedience. “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me.” John 14:21

Pressed but Not Crushed

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not in despair;
persecuted, but not abandoned; 
struck down, but not destroyed.
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, 
so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.”

– 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

Hedges

“The hedges, or hindrances, are right for us or He will quickly remove them. And doesn’t it stand to reason that whatever seems to block our way may also provide for our protection?”

– Frances Ridley Havergal, Streams in the Desert

My Security

“Jesus Christ is not my security against the storms of life, but he is my perfect security in the storms. He has never promised me an easy passage, only a safe landing.”

– L.B. Cowman, Streams in the Desert

A Song for the Suffering

This beautiful song by Shane and Shane features a sermon excerpt by John Piper. I’m moved to tears every time I listen.

“Though you slay me
Yet I will praise you
Though you take from me
I will bless your name
Though you ruin me
Still I will worship
Sing a song to the one who’s all I need”

 

Crowded to Christ

“All this trouble has crowded me to Christ. It’s simply mud around the gold.”

– Margie Hamilton, Joni & Friends Radio Program, “Crowded to Christ”

Faith + Hope = Trust

“Faith arises from the personal experience of Jesus as Lord.  Hope is reliance on the promise of Jesus, accompanied by the expectation of fulfillment.  Trust is the winsome wedding of faith and hope.”

– Brennan Manning, Ruthless Trust: The Ragamuffin’s Path to God, 2002

A Christian’s Happiness

“Jesus Christ did not die so that you would not suffer. He died so that when you suffer, you would become like him.”

– Dr. Timothy Keller, A Christian’s Happiness, July 6, 1997

Jesus of the Scars

The other gods were strong, but Thou wast weak;
They rode, but Thou didst stumble to a throne;
But to our wounds only God’s wounds can speak,
And not a god has wounds, but Thou alone.

– Edward Shillito (1872-1948)

Joy in Trials

“Why does God allow some of His deeply loved sons and daughters to go through trials of body and spirit? Because, if they receive that suffering with faith and joy, that supernatural chemical reaction will supercharge the message of His Son’s love and the suffering one will have the privilege of a life impact that will keep echoing and echoing beyond their years.”

– Joni Eareckson Tada, A Lifetime of Wisdom: Embracing the Way God Heals You, 2009