One of the defining realities of our world is that everyone seems to have an opinion about how we should live. And as we all know, you don't have to look very hard to find them.
Open up your social media feed and within seconds someone will tell you how to eat, how to exercise, how to parent, how to lead, how to spend your money, how to think about politics, how to improve your relationships, and how to become the best version of yourself.
And the messages don't stop when we put our phones down.
We hear them at work.
At school.
At the gym.
In conversations with friends.
In podcasts.
In books.
Everywhere we turn, there are voices inviting us to live a certain way.
Some of those voices are obviously unhelpful. Others sound wise, thoughtful, and compelling. In fact, some of the alternatives to God's way can look remarkably attractive because they often promise the very things we're looking for—purpose, fulfillment, peace, significance, and success.
But as I was finishing my reading through 1 John this week, I was struck by a simple statement that cuts through all the noise.
See that with me in 1 John 4:17…
"Live like Jesus in this world."
Six simple words. Yet those six words contain one of the greatest invitations and challenges in all of Scripture.
Jesus isn't simply asking for our admiration.
Jesus isn't asking us to occasionally agree with Him.
And Jesus isn't inviting us to add a few spiritual habits to our already busy lives.
Jesus is calling us to LIVE LIKE HIM.
When you think about it, that's a radically different invitation than the ones we hear all day, every day.
The world… the culture says…
Live like the person who is currently trending.
Live like the most successful person in the room.
Live like the loudest voice online.
Live like the version of yourself that exists only on your best days.
But, Jesus, so simple and so sacred… LIVE LIKE ME.
So, what does that actually look like in our day-to-day lives?
It looks like choosing humility when you've earned the right to be recognized.
It looks like pursuing the one person everyone else has written off.
It looks like telling the truth when the lie would be easier—and far better for your reputation.
It looks like forgiving someone who hasn't asked for it yet.
It looks like being fully present in the moment you're actually in instead of managing the moment you want others to think you're in.
It looks like loving people sacrificially and unconditionally.
If you are a Christ-follower—a disciple of Jesus—then living like Jesus isn't something we do when it's convenient. It's who we are becoming because of our relationship with Him.
Maybe to state the obvious… but LIVING LIKE JESUS in the world in which we live will not be easy. I think we all know that.
But I think we also know that what the world needs most right now is Jesus—and not just sermons about Jesus, devotionals about Jesus, or social media posts about Jesus.
What the world needs are men and women who are committed to living like Jesus in the world in which they live.
And here's the good news: Jesus never asks us to become something He hasn't already EMPOWERED us to be. The same Savior who calls us to live like Him also lives within us through His Spirit.
We don't have to manufacture His character through sheer willpower. Day by day, as we walk with Him, surrender to Him, and keep our eyes fixed on Him, He begins to shape us into His likeness.
So before you scroll again...
Before you head into your next meeting...
Before you walk through the doors of your home tonight...
Ask yourself one simple question:
"What would it look like for me to live like Jesus right here, right now?"
Because chances are, God has already placed someone in your path who needs encouragement, kindness, grace, truth, forgiveness, compassion, or hope. And when you choose to live like Jesus, you become a living reminder that He is still present, still working, and still changing lives.
The world is filled with voices telling us who to be. Today, tomorrow, and in the many days to come… choose to listen to the One voice that matters most…
LIVE LIKE JESUS IN THIS WORLD.
