A Christ-like Life

The discussion question was a good one. “Who do you know, or have known, who best exemplifies Christ?” The list that popped into my head was a good one. Of course at the top of my list was Beloved and then various saints who have come in and out of my life through the years. But I finally landed on my grandfather. In my eyes he was truly “like Christ”. I remember having a conversation with my aging Aunt Kathleen who was in her nineties at the time. Grandpop had long since left this earth. As we were sitting in her living room one evening discussing our family history she said “You know, Grandpop (her father-in-law) was the most Christ-like man I have ever known.” She went on to share story after story of a man who faced adversity with grace, who gave up everything without complaint, who loved and served his wife though a debilitating disease left her an invalid for the last fifteen years of her life.

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My grandfather was successful. He held a high position in the railroad. He owned a small tobacco plantation. He had a lovely home in the city. He was highly respected in the community. He was on the board of directors at the local bank. He had four handsome sons and two beautiful daughters. He seemed to have it all.

And then everything changed. His oldest son, Jack died at the age of twelve unexpectedly from Typhoid Fever. Then someone embezzled a large sum of money from the bank, before banks were insured and so the Board of Directors chose to come up with the stolen funds. Grandpop sold his plantation with all monies going to the bank. Then the depression hit and with that came the loss of their large beautiful home. He simply packed up the house and family and moved them to a two bedroom bungalow in a not so nice neighborhood. By now most of the children were grown. And then his beloved wife developed Rheumatoid Arthritis and for the next fifteen years until her death was bedridden, unable to do the simplest things for herself, in constant pain and suffering.

All people will experience some loss. It might be financial. It might be health. It might be the loss of a loved one. But few people suffer quite as much loss as Grandpop. And yet it wasn’t the loss that was so extraordinary. It was his response. I never knew him to speak ill of anyone. I never knew him to show anger over the injustices of his losses. I never knew him to have anything but a happy countenance.

I never knew him to show anything to anyone but true love. He was gentle, winsome, loyal to friends, a servant to his wife, not to mention, an exceptional gardener. In his presence even the most hyperactive grandchild would feel calm. There was never hurry or panic and worry or anxiety. Yes, he would be my first choice for the “Most Christ-Like Award”.

I have been doing an in-depth study this summer on the life of Christ. A couple of weeks ago I told you about a magnificent book written by John MacArthur called “One Perfect Life” which came out this year. It is a masterpiece. I am devouring it, moving slowly from page to page and I am beginning to see Christ as never before. Above all, I see his attitude as he deals with constant misunderstanding and rejection. I see his great willingness to heal and to teach and to preach even those who mock him. And I see his self sacrifice, always giving to others even when completely exhausted. I see the losses of friends, respect, reputation, rest, and finally life. I am beginning to see even more the extraordinary greatness of the God/man as he walked on earth.

I look at my Grandpop and wonder at how he did it. One clue is that he spent every morning in the Word of God focusing on the One he wanted to emulate. If his life is any example I would say it worked.

1 Peter 1:15-16

But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written,

“Be holy, for I am holy.”

Exclusion

Lily wasn’t invited to the birthday party. Though the neighbor kids (5 of them) spend most of their waking hours at Lily’s family’s home, the ten year old did not include Lily on her guest list. She did hand out an invitation to another girl in front of Lily. She also sent her younger sister to invite one of Lily’s friends who was playing at Lily’s home. 

Lily is my granddaughter. She is ten, gentle natured, loving and well, beautiful. I have never heard her say a bad thing about anyone, even on this occasion. And now, someone was excluding her. I talked to Lily’s mom, and expressed my opinion (you can imagine what THAT was!). After all someone was behaving in a hurtful manner and the target just happened to be one of those I love dearly? I had visions of giving the thoughtless child a piece of my mind and perhaps punching her out. Now don’t act shocked! If you are a mother I KNOW you have had the same reaction when someone has hurt YOUR child. Three days after the party, Lily was in charge of making the dessert for the family. She chose a particularly good cookie, one that only made about fifteen. After everyone had enjoyed the dessert, Lily announced that she was taking the rest of the cookies to the “enemy”. (My word not hers) And so she packed up the cookies and delivered them with good cheer and loving kindness. 

And I marvel. 

Today I was reading the beatitudes and came across something I had never picked up on before. It goes like this: “Blessed are you when men hate you and persecute you and when they EXCLUDE you….. Rejoice in that day and be exceedingly glad and leap for joy! For indeed your reward is great in heaven..” (Luke 6:22-3 NKJ) 

And I realized that Christ was often excluded, talked about behind His back, and treated unfairly. Yet He knew the secret that He wants us to know. Love those who hurt you. Love them well. 

The Christian life truly is impossible. That sin nature that likes to rear its ugly head still reveals on occasion that I am walking around with a constant battle taking place with me! I want to always take cookies to those who hurt me or malign me or exclude me. I want to always think the best of everyone and rejoice when those feelings get squashed. I want to respond in the same way Lily did. But I don’t always do it. 

Now I am not so naive to think that Lily will always choose to send cookies to the one who has excluded her. Life will become crueler and harsher. But for today she has exposed her Mimi’s sin nature and I have repented in sack cloth and ashes. How much more beautiful is a garland of love than a string of strong accusations. And bottom line – there is a reward and it is not here, not yet. 

So for today, I have put on a heart of love for the neighbor child. There WILL be another test. I am planning on passing the next one with flying colors, and I think I can as long as I keep my eye on that promised prize! 

“For indeed your reward is great in heaven.”

 Luke 6:23