Bible Reading: 1 Peter 1:13-19
He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. 1 Peter 1:19
QUIZ TIME: Who is the most right-living person you know, the person who is a great example of obedience to God?
a. One or both of your parents?
b. A grandparent or another relative?
c. Your pastor or youth leader?
d. A well-known Christian figure?
e. A friend?
When it comes to knowing and doing right, there is no substitute for a living, breathing, right-under-your-nose example. You can’t beat having someone you know modeling a pattern of godliness in front of you.
But Jesus Christ does one better. No, you can’t see him in person. But through the Bible you can spot him in action and witness his awesome acts as the ultimate example of doing right. His life and ministry on earth made all the moral precepts in the Old Testament up close and personal. Jesus not only taught the moral law of God, but unlike any other human being in your life, he also lived it to perfection.
The life of Jesus shouts God’s love for his human creation. Like John observed, “God showed how much he loved us by sending his only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him” (1 John 4:9). Christ was God’s love gift to us wrapped in human flesh. His coming in the flesh-his “incarnation” -was the expression of God’s love in human life.
The Bible leaves no doubt about the perfection of Christ’s life. Peter said, “He never sinned, and he never deceived anyone” (1 Peter 2:22). He was “the sinless, spotless Lamb of God” (1 :19). He “faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin” (Hebrews 4: 15).
John’s first letter lays out several references to Christ’s sinlessness: “There is no darkness in him at all” (1 John 1:5); “Jesus Christ, the one who pleases God completely” (2:1); “Christ is pure” (3:3); and “There is no sin in him” (3:5). Even Pilate said, “I find nothing wrong with this man!” (Luke 23:4).
Even the best human examples of obedience and purity fail at times. Say thanks to God for the good examples you have in your family members, church leaders, and friends. But keep your main focus on the perfect example by filling your mind with the words and deeds of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
REFLECT: How is Jesus the best example you could ever follow?
PRAY: Tell Jesus you’re glad he blazes a trail for you.
