King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: A Pattern To Follow
Date: Sunday December 04, 2011
Chapters: Ephesians 4-6
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://thesaviorjesuschrist.com/bible-reading-december-04
All Scripture quoted comes from the King James Version.

Hello My Friend,

The word example is defined as a pattern; a copy; a mode; that which is proposed to be imitated. Whether we realize it or not someone imitates us, regardless if we are setting a good or bad example. I watch an eighteen month old and as little as she is she imitates what I do, one time I had my foot propped on the coffee table, she leaned back against the sofa and tried to prop her foot on the table too. She follows by pattern no matter what I do, I do not prop my foot on the table anymore because she is told not to. As Christian's, we have a pattern to follow, that being Jesus Christ. He, who lowered Himself as a mere mortal, became a servant for us to be an example for us to follow.

“Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God; He riseth from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded..So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” -John 13:3-5,12-16.

In the last years of Paul's life he spent many of them in prison, during that time he never ceased from preaching the Gospel nor did he alter his faith in Christ one bit. He was probably one of the greatest evangelists of all time, but he never saw himself as anything other than a servant of Christ, even referring to himself as the chiefest of sinners. The Ephesians were known for their worship of false gods and idolatry, many of them were converted, which led Paul to start a church there. Knowing their past and what they have walked away from, he encourages them to remain the example for others to follow.

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace...And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:..This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness...And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.” - Ephesians 4:1-3,11-13,17-19,24.

People who live a worldly life do not care about serving God, they care about serving their flesh, which is just fine if that is the life they want to choose. The sad thing is that they often drag those who truly want to serve God in their endeavors, it is as if they get some kind of thrill out of getting a Christian to go against God. You know, we are human, we are not perfect, but are God's people, serving God the best we know how. We cannot stop people from living the life they want, but they cannot stop us from living for God either. Christ alone is the key to standing firm in our faith and not giving into their temptations. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” - I Corinthians 10:13.

We who are saved are children of the living God, that means we are sons and daughters of God. We are to set the godly example for others follow, as children of God, even if we are surrounded by those who are not. Believe it or not, we do make an impression on some of them, they might not want to follow in Christ's footsteps yet, but if they see us stand by our faith it is possible that they will be converted as well. However, all it takes is one bad apple to spoil the whole bunch, which is why so many people reject the Christian life. The world loves to distort the image of God through these bad apples instead of showing the true meaning of Christianity. That is why it is important for always follow the pattern. Paul encourages the Ephesians to keep doing what they were taught.

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:..And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.” - Ephesians 5:1-8,11-13.

We are representatives of Christ, meaning we cannot do what the world does if we want to show the world that they need Christ in their lives. I am a Sunday school teacher, my kids know me as Miss Christina, as far as they know I live at the church and my sole job is to be their Sunday school teacher. Everything I do outside of the church impacts Christ, who is the head of the church and impact them as well. Therefore, I must think before I act in every situation. I cannot be in bars, smoking and drinking if I am telling the kids not to do these things. I cannot be swearing, listening to ungodly music, and wearing clothes that reveal my body. I cannot even hang out with people who do these things. Why? What example would I be giving? The Bible says, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” -I Thessalonians 5:22. Even hanging out with people who live in the world gives the appearance that I live like that. I am by no means perfect nor am I worldly free, I still fight my flesh everyday over somethings I use to do when I lived in the world. Yes, I use to live a worldly life, but if I can get out of my situation with Christ guiding me anyone can get out of theirs.

As Paul closes his letter to the Ephesians he reminds them that they can overcome all things as long as they do one thing. “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:” - Ephesians 6:10-17.

As I said before, we are in a spiritual battle, God versus Satan, each one trying to get us on their side, the side of Satan always leaves us in pain, suffering, and shame in the end. The side of God always gives us peace and comfort during the pain and suffering, plus victory in the end. It may not always be a glamorous life to be a Christian, but in the end, when everyone finally comes to the realization that they do need Christ, we will already be rejoicing in the Kingdom of God. “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” -Revelations 21:4.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
I will be the first to admit that it's not always easy to follow in the footsteps of Your Son, it's tough out here in the world. I can truly say with all my heart that I do not miss the worldly life at all, but it is constantly trying to bring me back into it. I know the only way to withstand Satan and his constant schemes is to stand strong in my faith and trust in You and keep myself clothed in Your armor. Lord, I am weak, I know I can't do this on my own, but with You I am strong. Lead me and guide me, let me know You are near and show me the way to victory. I love You Lord, and ask these things in Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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