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.”