May 17

Morning

Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as Jesus walked. — 1 John 2:6 BSB

Why should Christians strive to imitate Christ?

First, for their own sake. If they long to be spiritually healthy, if they desire to escape the sickness of sin and experience the fullness of growing grace, they must look to Jesus as their model. For their own happiness, if they wish to drink deeply from the well of spiritual joy and enjoy intimate communion with their Savior, let them walk as He walked. There is nothing that can carry them toward heaven more swiftly than living with the image of Christ engraved upon their hearts, ruling all their actions. When, by the power of the Holy Spirit, believers walk closely in the footsteps of Jesus, they are most happy and are most evidently seen as God’s children. Like Peter, walking at a distance is both unsafe and uncomfortable.

Second, for the sake of the Gospel, we must strive to be like Christ. Religion has been attacked many times by its enemies, but none have hurt it as much as the wounds it has received from its friends. Who has wounded the beautiful hand of godliness? It is the hypocrite who professes faith while using the dagger of deceit. The one who claims to belong to Christ but is inwardly a wolf in sheep’s clothing does more damage to the Church than any outside critic. The kiss of a Judas is more dangerous than the growl of a lion. Inconsistent Christians harm the Gospel more than any mocker or unbeliever ever could.

Lastly, for the sake of Christ Himself, imitate Him. Christian, do you love your Savior? Is His name precious to you? Do you long to see His cause triumph in the world? Are you eager to see the nations come under His reign? If so, then imitate Jesus. Let your life be a living letter of Christ, known and read by everyone.

Evening

I brought you from the ends of the earth and called you from its farthest corners. I said, ‘You are My servant.’ I have chosen and not rejected you. — Isa 41:9 BSB

If we have received God’s grace in our hearts, it will lead us to become servants of God. Though we may be unfaithful and unprofitable servants, yet by His grace, we are still His. We wear His livery, we are fed at His table, and we seek to obey His commands.

Once, we were slaves to sin, but the One who set us free has now brought us into His household and taught us to obey His will. Though our service to Him is imperfect, it is still our deepest desire to serve Him faithfully. When we hear His voice calling, “You are My servant,” we can reply with David, “I am Your servant—You have freed me from my chains.”

But the Lord does not only call us servants; He calls us His chosen ones. “I have chosen you,” He says. We did not choose Him first—He chose us. If we are God’s servants, it is because of His sovereign grace. Long before we ever knew Him, His eye singled us out, and His voice declared, “I have loved you with an everlasting love.” Before time began, He wrote our names on His heart and predestined us to be conformed to the image of His Son. He ordained that we would receive all the riches of His love, grace, and glory.

What comfort this brings! If the Lord has loved us from eternity, He will not cast us away. He knew our stubbornness and our sinful hearts, yet He still chose us. Our Savior’s love is not fickle. He does not abandon us because of our failures. No! He entered into a covenant of love with us in eternity, and He will not break that bond. “The Lord hates divorce,” and so His eternal choice binds us to His faithfulness forever.