“Great Expectation!”

“Great Expectation!”(Phi.3:17-21).
Paul urged the Corithians to emulate him in the same way he emulated Christ. “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ”(I Cor.11:1). To the Philippians, he said, “Join with others in following my example… and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you.” The main example of Christ is summed up in this: “For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved”(I Cor.10:33). Christ did all he could – at the expense of his own life – to ensure the salvation of all humanity. He said, “…whoever comes to me, i will never drive away”(Jn.6:37).
Those who follow the example of Christ “are the light of the world”(Mt.5:14) in the same way that Christ is the light of the world, and those who folliw him will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life(Jn.8:12). They are like a city on a hill which cannot be hidden.
To those who follow Christ’s example, he says, “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”(Mt.5:16).
The Lord stresses: “See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness”(Lk.11:35).
Imagine lighting a lamp to give light when you have filled it with water instead of kerosene! What light can you get from such a lamp?
We are therefore called upon to follow the example of Christ in selfless sacrifice and not to live as the many who live as enemies of the cross of Christ.
Destruction is the destiny of the enemies of the cross of Christ, “their god is their stomach because of deep self-centeredness! And their appetites and desires come first. Their glory is their shame because they have set their minds on earthly things.
How do we stand out differently? We are of the world, but we do not belong to this world(Jn.17:14-15) because we have fixed our eyes on things above.
“Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
We are gradually moving to the seaon of Advent in which we prepare to commemorate the birth of the Christ. A birth which reminds us that “the life that was given to us at Christmas was given for us on Calvary.”
This is summed up in “not living “as the enemies of the cross of Christ…”and as “we eagerly await…”
We remind ourselves constantly as during the celebration of the Lord’s Supper we say, “Your death O Christ we proclaim, your resurrection we announce, your coming we await.”
This recital has significance only in so far as we follow the example of Christ.
Sunday prayer: Holy Spirit, help us daily not to be enemies of the cross of Christ. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you !
Rev Babila Fochang.