We get some good instruction about following the example of Christ in 1 Peter 2:21-24, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”

Here, we learn the Lord:

• Did not sin…not even once.
• He never spoke deceitfully.  He always told the truth.
• When he was abused and insulted, He never responded in like manner.  He never tried to ‘get even.’
• When He suffered, He did not threaten those who attacked Him.  He simply left it in the hands of the Lord.

We are also told here that Christ “his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree.”  This speaks of His sacrificial work when He died for our sins on the cross of Calvary.  We cannot imitate this action, but we see that the Lord died so that “we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness.”  Having accepted Christ as our savior, He wants us to live a righteous life…doing what is right according to His standards, not according to how the world tells us to live.

A few more examples of the life of Christ that we should follow are:

• Ephesians 5:1-2, “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.”  We should love according to the same love that Christ loves us with…a love that will make sacrifices for the betterment of others.
• Matthew 14:14, “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.”  The Lord Jesus had compassion, or sympathized, with those who were suffering.  He cared about their needs.  We should also care about those in need, and as the Lord leads, do what we can do to help. Galatians 6:10 instructs us, “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
• Matthew 20:28, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister…”  We should not try to find others to meet our needs, but be more concerned about how we can help others. 

I encourage you to study the life of Christ.  The more you know about Him, the more you will understand how you should live.  The Apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”  Paul spent his life following, or imitating, the life of Christ and His teachings.  May each of us, as believers on the Lord Jesus Christ, imitate His life.  It was said of Christ, that He “went about doing good.” (Acts 10:38).  I define ‘good’ as that which helps others and honors the Lord.  The Lord has given us so many good examples of how we should live.  May we follow His instruction to “learn of me” (Matthew 11:29) and follow His ways and teachings.  (CC)  (719.6)