Putting On Christ                             Go directly to point 5          Go directly to point 6

In this series we are expanding on one simple directive from God.  It is found in Romans 13 and verse 14

“Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ”

Now in the first two lessons, we discussed the first four elements of Christ’s character.  They were:

1)   Christ had a mission and He stuck to it.

2)   Jesus kept in constant contact with His Father.

3)   He believed in Himself.

4)   Christ had internal anchors

Today we will discuss Points 5 and 6 of Christ’s character; elements that we must have if we are to be like Him.

Point 5:  He Guarded His Energy

Jesus had tremendous energy, and he knew how to direct it.   He was so clear about his mission that he avoided many real and potential energy leaks.

For example, even though he was a teacher, He refused to engage in meaningless debates with people who wanted not to learn but to argue.

Even at his trial, he did not waste time or energy in what he knew would be a meaningless defense.

Although he was a recruiter of sorts, he never wasted energy begging or manipulating others to follow him.

In fact, he trained his staff to “wipe the dust from their feet” and to keep moving if people were resistant to his ideas.  (Matthew 10:14)

He also said not to “cast your pearls before swine” (Mat 7:6)…a very graphic image about the importance of knowing where and with whom to share the treasure of your energy.

Notice Luke 8 and beginning in verse 43

43        And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any,

44        Came behind him, and touched the border of his garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.

45        And Jesus said, Who touched me? When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?

46        And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.

47        And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

48        And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.

Christ was very aware of His energy and so must we.  We, like Christ must constantly be building an energy reserve.

Nature shows us this element of Christ…

·         butterflies—At Callaway Gardens it was learned that butterflies have to spread their wings in the morning sunshine because the scales on their wings are actually solar cells.  Without that source of energy, they cannot fly.

·         snow in the mountains—If there is no snow in the mountains, there will be a drought in the plains. 

Everyone must be in tune with his or her source of energy.  Christ guarded his energy.

Point 6: Christ Did the Difficult Things

One definition of a professional is a person who does things even when she or he does not feel like doing them.

Many charismatic and popular leaders get into trouble when they cease doing the difficult things.

We will fail if we do not face the difficult things.

Doing the difficult thing means not letting public opinion sway you from what your heart, gut, God’s Spirit, or the Word of God is telling you.

Peter tried to stop Jesus from going to Jerusalem but Jesus knew that He must go..

Matthew 16:21-22  

21        From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

22        Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

Christ remembered the words of Isa 50 and verses 7-9…

Isaiah 50:7-9

7          For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed.

8          He is near that justifieth me; who will contend with me? let us stand together: who is mine adversary? let him come near to me.

9          Behold, the Lord GOD will help me; who is he that shall condemn me? lo, they all shall wax old as a garment; the moth shall eat them up.

Perhaps the true mark of a Christian is that she or he is willing to stand alone.

Let me tell you about Monika Diaz…  She is a member who is standing alone against a supervisor who is personally (and illegally) attacking her on her religion and her desire to keep the Holy Days.  Despite the threats of loss of job and pay, she has stood her ground and done the difficult thing.  She has prevailed!

Christ did not refuse to die for us, He stood alone.  When the soldiers came for Christ, Peter again tried to stop them.  He pulled his sword and cut off the servant’s ear but Christ said…

…the cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?   John 18:11

Clearly Christ faced and did the difficult things.  As we venture further into the end time, so will we.

Well, now, we have looked into 6 elements of His character and make-up.  Let us continue to learn these things and…

Put on Christ

back to top