How is it that I am to be the example of Christ when there is always an attack on me?
What a selfish approach with the above question. I have the understanding that I am to be the example of Christ and yet I find it “hard” to do with a little adversity. Christ had people wanting to kill Him, something that I really will likely not experience. He was betrayed by those closest to Him. To spread His word, He walked all over the countryside. He was spit on. He found Himself being opposed at every turn. He was dealing with being tricked and trapped every day. For me, where there is some adversity in my life, I largely live free of the same.
If Christ can deal with all of the real adversity and still be the example of love and care for all, shouldn’t I be able to study His word and use His example as the basis of my example. Shouldn’t I be able to imitate Him those that spread the gospel as well. Take Paul for example. In his ministry, Paul experienced adversity that I will likely not experience in my life either. He was imprisoned, and killed for his faith. And yet, even still, he was the example of Christ all along the way. He encouraged and loved all of his Christian brothers and sisters, even though his prospects were bleak. All with the joy of the Holy Spirit.
“4For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, 5because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. 6And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.” — 1 Thessalonians 1:4-7 (ESV)
And see the encouragement of those at the Church of Thessalonica. Paul recognized their strength and their acceptance of the gospel from him. And points out their continued imitation of what they learned as they became the examples of Paul and more importantly, Christ. All of their work was made possible with the acceptance and understanding of the joy of the Holy Spirit.
I have to do the same. I may have some adversity in my life (certainly at the moment nothing like Jesus, Paul, or the Thessalonians). Yet I also have the joy of the Holy Spirit to lean on to get me through. I have that joy to keep me delighted throughout my life here in this world and to lead me to my eternal life with Jesus, Paul, the Thessalonians, and all my other brothers and sisters in Christ.
What are you leaning on to get you through the adversity? Are you looking to yourself to get through it all? What if you recognized that you have an example and the joy of the Holy Spirit to guide you?
Trevor's Thoughts 