People’s Craze for the Things they Like
BTS and Movie “Parasite”
Today BTS has become a great fad around the world. The members of ARMY the BTS fan club try to follow what the idol group does. They try to resemble the idols they love, eating the same food, going to the same movie, imitating the same gestures such as fingerhearts and some dance moves, and most of all they try to resemble the personality or life attitudes of the idols.
Also recently a movie called “Parasite” became a great sensation by being nominated as Oscar Award and receiving the awards in 4 major areas of the award. Along with the popularity, one food has become popular too—“Jjapaguri” which is a mixture of two different Korean noodles, Neoguri and Jjapaghetti. After it was known through the movie “Parasite”, many tried their own Jjapaguri and many restaurants—even in hotels—added the new menu to catch up with the craze.
All these things shows that people have natural inclination to follow or imitate the things or people they like. They try the same clothes and looks as their idols. They do the same gestures and actions. And also they try to learn some life lessons from them by imitating their attitude and viewpoints toward the world around them.
God as Our Example
Then how much should the people of God try to follow and resemble God? According to the bible, the people of God are those who follow God and walk the path of life as God has laid out for them without missing anything.
Jesus Christ’s Examples for Us to Follow
2000 years ago Jesus Christ came and set examples for us to follow through his actions and teachings. Therefore, whatever written in the bible is a lesson that we have to learn and follow to be the people of God.
John 13:15 I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
All the things that Jesus did were given to us as examples that we should follow as Jesus did before us. That is why Apostle Paul emphasize again and again that we have to follow the examples of Jesus just as he did.
1 Corinthians 11:1 1 Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.
1 Thessalonians 1:6 You became imitators of us and of the Lord
Repeatedly he admonishes that we should follow the example of Christ or his examples since he is following Christ’s examples. By following his examples, actually we come to follow Christ’s examples.
Christ’s Examples in the Bible
Therefore, it is quite obvious that we should follow examples of Christ and they should be no other contention about this. Then what we should know is what is the examples of Christ that we should follow? Many churches practices different customs for different aspects of faith in God. Since Christ has shown one example to follow, one church must be practicing the examples of God and all other churches which practices different customs are practicing what is not the examples of Christ.
Baptism
For example, let us think about one act of faith that is “baptism”. There are so many different practices of baptism among the churches. Some says that we don’t have to be baptized, and others say that we should. And some says sprinkling water is enough, but others say that our whole body should be drenched with water. Also some says that we have to delay the baptism until we have faith in God, and others say we should get baptized immediately.
Then what is the true example of Christ in the matter of baptism and how can we know what the custom of Christ and disciples of the early churches was? We can know the truth about baptism through the testimonies of the bible. We can see many descriptions in the bible about the baptism of Jesus and disciples baptizing the new believers of Christ. (Mt 3:13)
If we look at the gospel work of Apostle Paul, we can see many occasions that the whole family members of the believers got baptized. Even a new born baby in the family received baptism even though they did not know about Christ. (Act 16:15, Act 16:33) A baptism was essential and immediate in their life of faith. Then what about us? Can we ignore baptism preferring over faith in God? What actually the bible teaches us is that we have to be baptized all the more because of our faith because we want to show our faith in God through our action.
Sabbath Day
Then what about the day of worship? Today, most of the Christian churches go to service on Sundays. Then are they following Christ’s example or following their own thoughts? According to the bible, the example Christ has shown us is the Sabbath worship by going to the church on Saturdays.
Luke 4:16 He went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath day he went into the synagogue, as was his custom.
Here we can see Jesus going to the church on the Sabbath Day, that is, Saturday, and teaching the words of God to the people in the synagogue. Following Jesus’ example, apostles and disciples too had worship services on the Sabbath Day.
Acts 17:2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,
If we are believers of God and we truly love God, what should we do? Shouldn’t we follow the examples of God doing whatever Christ has done as examples to us.
Conclusion
Today, many churches practices custom which was never shown as examples by Christ or disciples such as Christmas or Sunday worship, and they call themselves as people of God who love God. What would God say to those who ignore his examples but follow different custom? Jesus clearly declares to them that they do not belong to him and he commands them to get away from him. (Mt 7:21)
The bible teaches that the true people of God are those who follow Christ’s example without adding to or subtracting from the teachings of Christ in the bible.
Revelation 14:4 These are those who did not defile themselves with women, for they remained virgins. They follow the Lamb wherever he goes.
Those who follow the Christ completely are the saints of God who God will give salvation in the last days. Therefore, we must not deceive ourselves with many excuses not to follow Christ’s examples. And we must not think that God will save us since we have faith in God. Rather listen carefully to the words of God and realize that the true faith always accompanies actions and the faith without deeds is dead. (Jas 2:17)