In His steps

I recently finished reading, for the third time, In His Steps by Charles Sheldon.  First published in 1897, In His Steps has been a phenomenal hit, selling over 30,000,000 copies since its original publication date, and ranks as the 9th best-selling book of all time.  It begins with a pastor in the fictional town of Raymond who challenges his pastorate to do nothing for an entire year without first asking the question "What would Jesus do?," and then following His probable course of action, regardless of the consequences to themselves.  The rest of the book is devoted to the stories of the people who take "the pledge," and the results that those resolutions have in their town, their country, and beyond.  

At the beginning of the year we always speak of "resolutions."  But I'll wager that the vast majority of us have never met anyone in our entire lives who was willing to take such a resolution as the one found within the pages of In His Steps.  The book is fictional, of course, and I am by no means trying to pass it off as a real-life historical account of actual events.  But perhaps it still remains in the annals of great fictional writing because it records all too well what would happen if people in the modern world actually lived their lives "in His steps."  The results of the parishioners of Raymond taking this pledge include public shame, loss of wealth and status, familial alienation, and physical pain and suffering.  Sheldon does not pull any punches when he depicts the worst of humanity - and what Christians must sacrifice if they truly want to win humanity's worst to Christ.

But Sheldon also shows the beautiful side of following in Jesus' footsteps, the reason why these characters chose to live so sacrificially in the first place.  He depicts love and fellowship, peace and tranquility, a purpose of life and a bearing of one another's burdens nearly unheard-of in this modern day and age.  He depicts people who sacrifice not because they have to, but because they want to.  They want to give their lives to the Lord, because they have found that life is so much more fulfilling when they do.  

Do you want to suffer for the Lord?  Do you truly desire to walk in His steps?  Every Sunday morning, countless Christians sit in churches all over the country singing about how wonderful God is; and then the vast majority of them go home and promptly forget.  Don't be in the majority.  As a new year has dawned on us, I want to issue a challenge to you.  Commit yourself to truly living your life the way that you think Jesus would want you to.  Find other people who are willing to commit, as well.  Hold each other up and seek Christ with all your heart.  I promise you, you will not regret the results.  

1 Peter 2:19-25

19 For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God.  20 But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it?  But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God.  21 To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.  22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in His mouth."  23 When they hurled their insults at Him, He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats.  Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.  24 "He Himself bore our sins" in His body on the cross,  so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; "by His wounds you have been healed."  25 For "you were like sheep going astray," but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.