"Pattern of Life"

 "For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you." (John 13:15 KJV)

  "So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God's obedient children. Don't slip back into your old way of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn't know any better then, But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, "You must be holy because I am holy."" (1 Peter 1:13-16 NLT)

 Yes, we can be holy, but only because Jesus is Holy! Without Jesus, we have no holiness within us, no matter how hard we try, there is no attachment to holiness, even in our righteous deeds! Outside of Christ, our righteousness is filthy rags to God! (Isaiah 64:6)

 This is something I have known from the very beginning of my new-life in Christ; mostly because of my up-bringing, having been associated with the J.W.s and the previous struggles to earn salvation. You cannot earn something that cannot be purchased; Jesus paid for it all; only through Christ Jesus can we receive salvation! 

 As for this title, "Pattern of Life", before we received the gift of God's salvation, all of us were dead, spiritually dead, with no connection and hope for eternal life. All of that changed the day that we received Jesus Christ to be the Lord of our lives. Now that we have life, real life in Christ, we are no longer of this current world; we are now, officially, citizens of Heaven! 

 This might surprise some of you, but even though is comes easy, it takes some effort to pattern our lives to fit the mold that we have been given! And believe you me, there is a mold that is placed within you! You cannot hide what you are, because you will be exposed if you try! Jesus like Peter was when he was trying to tell people that he didn't know Christ; he was exposed as a liar. 

 I couldn't help but think of Pastor Luke, in the movie, "Holy Roller". If you haven't seen it, it is a really good example of how we should pattern our life in the service to others. In one scene, Pastor Luke is very discouraged, so he goes to a local pub and has a drink. About half-way through his first and only glass of beer, he starts to preach a sermon about drinking at the pub. 

 Anywho, I think you see the point: There is a River of Life flowing through your veins, it is bound to spill out, no matter how hard you try to contain it, you cannot...

"And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What's more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say, "I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem, chosen for great honor, and anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced."" (1 Peter 2:5-6 NLT)