Fruitful Living
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE LIKE JESUS?
• Jesus and disciples
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. – Ephesians 5:2
We saw this on YouTube about somebody’s understanding on how to be like Jesus. We found it fascinating and are happy to share it with you. Please enjoy it and share it with others.
Who is a Christian?
Eighteen hundred years ago in the second century a man called Diognetus wanted to know who a Christian was; The following was written to him to explain who a Christian is:
“The distinction between a Christian and others is not about a country language or customs language or customs.
• They follow local customs in clothing, food and the rest of life. And yet exhibit the wonderfully paradoxical nature of their own citizen.
• They live in their own countries, but it is as if they are resident aliens.
• They share all things as citizens and yet endure all things as if they are inferior. Every foreign country is their homeland, and every homeland is a foreign country.
• They marry like everyone else and have children, but they do not abort their young ones.
• They keep a common table but not a common bed. They live in the world but not in a worldly way.
• They enjoy a full life on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven.
• They obey the appointed laws, but they surpass the laws in their own lifestyle, they love everyone and are universally derided.
• They are unknown and do not criticise people.
• They are put to death and gain life.
• They are poor but make many rich.
• They lack all things and yet have all things in abundance.
• They are dishonoured and are glorified in their dishonour.
• They are abused but bless others in return.
• When they are beaten up, they rejoice as men who have been given a new life.
In short, although the soul is in the body, the Christians are in the world. The soul lives in the body but is not confined to the body. Although Christians live in the world they are not confined to the world. God has appointed them for this great calling, and it will be wrong for them to decline it.”
In addition to this here are eight portraits of what Christlikeness looks like.
To be like Jesus means to:
1. Accept our roots (Matthew 1:1-17)
The circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth might have raised questions in the minds of some. But Jesus never denied His ancestry or allowed others to shame Him. We also need to understand and accept our roots in terms of culture, race, gender and reputation. Moreover, like Jesus we want to avoid demeaning anyone else’s heritage.
2. Engage the world’s Pain and Struggle (1:18-2:23)
Jesus’s entry into human life was fraught with awkward tensions and human dilemmas: a miraculous birth, an earthly father who was considering a quiet divorce, an outraged king resorting to infanticide and a return to a homeland that remained hostile and dangerous. We too, are all born into some troubles and circumstances but we need to face up to the world and remain very much in it, despite all its troubles.
3. Commit Ourselves to other Believers. (Matthew 3:1-17)
John the Baptist was not an average individual. He lived in the wilderness – the ‘other side of the tracks’ for that day. He wore strange clothing and ate strange food. He was pugnacious, even offensive at times. Yet he helped launch Jesus’ career. In return, Jesus had nothing but praise for him. If we want to be like Jesus, we must not pick and choose our brothers and sisters in God’s family. We need to embrace other believers and demonstrate our unity in Christ, no matter how awkward or inconvenient.
4. Admit our Vulnerability to Temptation. (Matthew 4:1-11)
Matthew’s inclusion of the temptation is remarkable. It shows that the sinless Lord of the universe was tempted, just as we are. ‘For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathise with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet He did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need’. – Hebrews 4:15- 16.
If we want to be like Jesus, we must accept that temptation is real – need to be open about our struggles. In doing so we honour God, recognise the power of sin, and encourage others to do likewise.
5. Proclaim the Message of Christ. (Matthew 4:12-25)
Jesus’s life was not an open book, readable by all. To be sure, He lived a perfect, model life. But even that could not stand alone as an undeniable witness. His actions needed interpretation. So He supplemented His good deeds with good news. In the same way, we need to verbally declare our faith if we want to be like Christ. Certainly, we need to back up our words with a Christlike lifestyle. But what we tell others give meaning to our quiet walk and good deeds.
6. Commit to Changed Thinking and Behaviour (Matthew 5:1-7:27)
In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained the values of the kingdom. He showed that following Him will involve radical change for most of us. It may mean undoing the way we’ve always done things and rethinking traditional sources of wisdom from our parents and culture. To become like Jesus involves a tough-minded review of our values and a thorough change in our behaviour.
7. Serve Others. (Matthew 8:1- 9:38)
The Sermon on the Mount was immediately followed by ‘deeds in the valley’. Christlike values lead to servant actions – and it was obedient action that Jesus cared about, not just sermonising. Jesus modelled how to do the will of God by actively serving more than 25 different people. These included such undesirables as lepers, an officer of the Roman occupation troops, the sick, the demon-possessed, cave dwellers, tax collectors, and a diseased, outcast woman. If we want to be like Jesus, we need to befriend those who are weak, under oppression, or without Christ. Like Him, we need to become ‘a friend of sinners’. He offered much more than religious information – He served them.
8. Affirm Other Leaders. (Matthew 10:1-42)
Jesus invested Himself in the development of other people, particularly the Twelve. He gave them responsibility and authority. He accepted the risk that they might fail. Of course, He gave them adequate preparation before sending them out, and on their return He affirmed them on their successful completion of the mission. Jesus calls us to help others grow. If we want to be like Him, we will share the joys and risks of working together with our brothers and sisters.
To Ponder
Please remember that there should be a distinction between you and others who are not Christians. ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!’ -2 Corinthians 5:17.
Stay blessed!
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By Dr. Joyce Aryee, the author
Fruitful Living
CHRIST OUR LORD (Part 1)
DEAR READER,
AS Palm Sunday dawns upon us once again, we are drawn into the majesty, and meaning of the final days of Jesus’ earthly journey. While the image of Jesus riding triumphantly into Jerusalem on a colt is often the central focus— glorious and significant though it is— today, we invite you to step into the Gospel of Luke’s profound account of these events.
Luke’s narrative not only recounts Jesus’ entry into the city but also draws us into the heartbeat of His mission: a journey not merely to a city but to the very cross where love would be poured out without measure.
Let us take a walk with Luke and look afresh at the approach, the purpose, and the passion of Christ our Lord.
The Triumphal Approach to Jerusalem: Luke 19:28-40
After Jesus said this, He went on in front of them toward Jerusalem. As He came near Bethphage and Bethany at the Mount of Olives, He sent two disciples ahead with these instructions: “Go to the village there ahead of you; as you go in, you will find a colt tied up that has never been ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If someone asks you why you are untying it, tell him that the Master needs it.” They went on their way and found everything just as Jesus had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners said to them, “Why are you untying it?” “The Master needs it,” they answered, and they took the colt to Jesus.
Then they threw their cloaks over the animal and helped Jesus get on. As He rode on, people spread their cloaks on the road. When He came near Jerusalem, at the place where the road went down the Mount of Olives, the large crowd of His disciples began to thank God and praise Him in loud voices for all the great things that they had seen:
“God bless the king who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory to God!” Then some of the Pharisees in the crowd spoke to Jesus. “Teacher,” they said, “command your disciples to be quiet!” Jesus answered, “I tell you that if they keep quiet, the stones themselves will start shouting.” – (Good News)
Let us now continue with why Christ died. The hymn writer, Henry Francis Lyte (1793 – 1847) puts it so appropriately in one of his hymns.
“PRAISE, my soul, the King of heaven, To His feet thy tribute bring;
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven, Who like thee His praise should sing?
Praise Him! Praise Him! Praise the everlasting King.” – MHB 12: Stanza 1
And it is true Christ died that we would be delivered from bondage of sin – “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” – Rom. 6:23 (NIV). Christ died to Ransom us, Heal us, Restore us and Forgive us.
As you enjoy this article, please commit yourself again to the Lord Jesus Christ whom to known is “Eternal Life.” Let Him ride into the “Jerusalem of your heart.” Weep over your sins and cleanse your heart which is the temple of the Holy Spirit from all that does not please our Holy, loving God.
WHY CHRIST DIED
When God first created mankind, He intended that an intimate relationship should exist between the Creator and His creatures. But the first man and woman chose to disobey God and, therefore, forfeited the privilege of this close friendship with God. Moreover, through their disobedience, sin made its entry into the world: ‘Sin came into the world through one man.’ – Romans 5:12
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author
Fruitful Living
GEC Vision Chapel climaxes Ghana Month with vibrant cultural display
5. Prohibition of Pork
QUR’ANIC Verses: Surah Al-Baqarah (2:173) “He has only forbidden to you dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah. But whoever is forced [by necessity], neither desiring [it] nor transgressing [its limit]—then there is no sin upon him. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”
Surah Al-Ma’idah (5:3) “Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah.”
Explanation:
Pork is prohibited because of its impurity and harmful health effects.
However, if a person is starving and has no other food, they may consume it only to survive.
6. Prohibition of Backbiting and Slander
Qur’anic Verses: Surah Al-Hujurat (49:12) “O you who have believed, avoid much [negative] assumption. Indeed, some assumption is sin. And do not spy or backbite each other. Would one of you like to eat the flesh of his brother when dead? You would detest it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is Accepting of Repentance and Merciful.”
Explanation:
Backbiting is equated to eating the flesh of one’s dead brother, showing how detestable it is.
Islam emphasises honesty, sincerity, and respect in social relations.
7. Prohibition of Eating Dead Animals and Blood
Qur’anic Verses: Surah Al- Ma’idah (5:3) “Prohibited to you are dead animals, blood, the flesh of swine, and that which has been dedicated to other than Allah.”
Explanation:
• Eating dead animals (carrion) and blood can lead to diseases and spiritual impurity.
• Islam promotes halal slaughter to ensure that food is ethically sourced and pure.
The Qur’an’s Guidance on Worship
The Qur’an instructs Muslims on how to worship Allah correctly:
• Salah (Prayer): Establishing regular prayers five times a day is a direct command from Allah (Qur’an 11:114).
• Zakat (Charity): Giving a portion of one’s wealth to the poor purifies one’s wealth and soul (Qur’an 2:110).
• Sawm (Fasting): The obligation of fasting in Ramadan is emphasised to cultivate self-discipline and gratitude (Qur’an 2:183).
• Hajj (Pilgrimage): Performing Hajj is an obligation upon those who can afford it (Qur’an 2:196).
These acts of worship strengthen the believer’s connection with Allah.
The Quran Shows the Boundless Mercy of Allah
“Say, O My servants who have transgressed against themselves [by sinning], do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Indeed, Allah forgives all sins. Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful.” (Qur’an 39:53
Explanation of the Verse: A Call to All Sinners
Allah addresses His servants who have committed excessive sins and urges them not to despair. The phrase (O My servants) reflects Allah’s love and care, even for those who have sinned greatly.
Hope and Mercy
Do not despair of the mercy of Allah) is a direct command from Allah, instructing believers never to lose hope in His forgiveness, no matter how many sins they have committed.
Allah Forgives All Sins
(Indeed, Allah forgives all sins) means that no sin is too great for Allah’s mercy—except shirk (associating partners with Allah) if one dies in that state without repentance (Qur’an 4:48).
The Quran and Allah’s Attributes of Forgiveness
The verse ends with “(Indeed, it is He who is the Forgiving, the Merciful).
Al-Ghafūr: The One who completely forgives all sins, no matter how great.
Ar-Raīm: The One who continuously showers His mercy upon His creation.
The Quran and Afterlife: Paradise and Hellfire
The Qur’an describes the consequences of actions in the afterlife:
• The Righteous will enjoy eternal bliss in Paradise:
“Gardens beneath which rivers flow, wherein they abide eternally…” (Qur’an 9:72).
• The Wrongdoers will face severe punishment in Hell:
“And fear the Fire, which has been prepared for the disbelievers.” (Qur’an 3:131).
This serves as a reminder to live a righteous life.
Conclusion: The Qur’an beyond Ramadan
The Qur’an is not just for Ramadan; it is a lifelong companion. The Prophet Muhammad said:
“The best among you are those who learn the Qur’an and teach it to others.” (Sahih al-Bukhari, 5027).
Every Muslim should recite, reflect upon, and apply the teachings of the Qur’an daily to attain the pleasure of Allah and ultimate success in the Hereafter.
I also urge all human beings to quickly grab a copy of the Quran from a nearby Islamic bookshop or an Imam. Thank you.
* The writer is the Metropolitan Chief Imam of Kpone Katamanso
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai, the Author
