Daily Light - September 14, 2011

Daily Light from the Lighthouse

"A disciple is not above his teacher,

but everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher."

Luke 6:40

So many individuals get discouraged in their Christian walk because they do not feel like they "measure up". The feeling of inadequacy can be as discouraging as having failed numerous times. We put a lot of pressure on ourselves to meet the expectations of others or even expectations that we set for ourselves that may not be reasonable. When we don't meet those expectations, we often give up on trying to do what we know we need to do altogether.

Jesus desires greatly that His disciples live up to a standard of righteousness that exceeds those made by man. He wants the best for us, and He also expects the best from us. This great expectation is only matched by the training that we receive from Him. He is our Master Teacher, and all that He teaches us is needed and perfect. A good teacher always has the hope that their students will not only learn the facts but know how to apply those facts to their lives. The teacher also has the desire that students will surpass even them in their field. Obviously, there is not one of us that will exceed Christ and His righteousness. In these earthen vessels of humanity we will continually struggle with the flesh, but that is no excuse to say that we cannot succeed and live like Christ.

Jesus famously implores us in Matthew 11, "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me." He is offering Himself as not only the Teacher but the example of how we should walk each day. This is why John the beloved disciple says, "He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked." We are to follow in His steps and learn what it means to live and abide in Christ. This path has areas of learning all along the way, and we are blessed to have the guide of Scripture to be a lamp to our feet and a light on the path. Paul told Timothy that the Scriptures were given to us by God so that we would be thoroughly equipped for the work to which we have been called. Also, Jesus told the disciples that not only do we learn from Him but He has given the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth.

How awesome it is to know that Christ is personally interested in the success of my Christian walk, and He is taking charge of instructing me in the way that I should go!

May you walk after the example of the Teacher today!