There is a profound and often overlooked distinction between finding God through Jesus and living out our lives as Jesus did. This difference shapes not only how we approach our faith but also how we experience God’s presence in our daily lives, in our communities, and within ourselves.
The Two Approaches
The first perspective—finding God through Jesus—emphasizes Jesus as the mediator, the necessary bridge between humanity and God. In this view, all prayers and spiritual connections are directed to God “through” Jesus, often focusing on His divine nature and redemptive role. This approach, while deeply rooted in many Christian traditions, can sometimes lead to an unintended consequence: the risk of personality worship, where Jesus’ humanity and teachings are overshadowed by His divinity.
The second perspective—finding God by living as Jesus did—invites us to model our lives on His example. This means embracing His humility, compassion, and unwavering commitment to love and justice. It is less about approaching God through Jesus as an intermediary and more about embodying the qualities that Jesus lived and taught. This approach resonates with His words in Luke 17:21: “The kingdom of God is within you.”
The Risk of Personality Worship
When we focus solely on finding God through Jesus as a mediator, there is a risk of separating ourselves from the transformative power of His teachings. This can inadvertently lead to personality worship, where Jesus becomes a figure to admire rather than a model to emulate. Such a focus can create a psychological and spiritual distance, where we revere Him without allowing His life and actions to inform our own.
Jesus consistently pointed beyond Himself, directing attention to God and the potential for God’s kingdom to manifest within and among us. In John 14:12, He said, “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these.” This statement underscores the idea that His life was an example to follow, a call to action rather than mere adoration.
Living as Jesus: A Transformative Experience
To live as Jesus did is to embrace a completely different experience of faith—psychologically, spiritually, and communally. Modeling His life involves:
- Psychological Transformation: Living as Jesus requires a shift in mindset. It asks us to move away from self-centeredness and embrace humility and compassion. Philippians 2:5-7 encourages us to “have the same mindset as Christ Jesus,” who “made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant.” This shift transforms not only how we see ourselves but also how we interact with others.
- Spiritual Growth: When we model our lives on Jesus, we align ourselves with the kingdom of God within us. This alignment fosters a deeper sense of purpose and connection to the Divine. Rather than seeking God outside of ourselves or through rituals alone, we begin to experience God’s presence in our actions, choices, and relationships.
- Communal Impact: Living as Jesus means engaging with the world as He did—with love, justice, and an unwavering commitment to the marginalized. His life was a testament to the power of community and the importance of lifting others. When we live in this way, we contribute to building God’s kingdom here and now, creating spaces of healing, inclusion, and transformation.
The Kingdom of God Within
Jesus’ teaching that “the kingdom of God is within you” invites us to shift our focus from external rituals to internal transformation. This is not to diminish the importance of prayer, worship, or sacraments but to emphasize that these practices should lead us to live in alignment with the kingdom within.
When we live as Jesus did, we embody the principles of God’s kingdom—compassion, forgiveness, humility, and love. These principles become not just ideals to admire but actions to practice. This approach bridges the gap between faith and life, ensuring that our spirituality is not confined to Sunday mornings but woven into every moment.
Biblical and Theological Foundations
The Bible is rich with passages that encourage believers to live as Jesus did. In 1 John 2:6, we are reminded, “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.” This call to action ties our faith directly to our conduct and invites us into a lifestyle that reflects Jesus’ teachings.
The Apostle Paul also emphasized this in Galatians 5:22-23, where he described the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These virtues align perfectly with the way Jesus lived and are evidence of a life guided by the Holy Spirit.
St. Augustine once wrote, “What does it mean to follow Jesus? It means to walk with Him in love.” This insight encapsulates the transformative potential of living as Jesus did. It is not about perfection but about intention—choosing daily to align our hearts and actions with His example.
Historical Insights: The Early Church and Beyond
The early Christians embodied this way of life. Acts 2:42-47 describes the first believers as a community devoted to the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread, and prayer. They shared their possessions, cared for the needy, and worshiped together with glad and sincere hearts. This communal living was a direct reflection of Jesus’ teachings and an example of how living as Jesus transforms both individuals and communities.
Throughout history, figures like St. Francis of Assisi have modeled this approach. St. Francis’ life was marked by humility, service, and a deep connection to God through the natural world. He famously said, “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.” His life demonstrated the power of embodying Christ’s teachings in action.
Celtic Christianity and Living as Jesus
In early Celtic Christianity, the emphasis on living as Jesus did was central to the faith. The Celtic understanding of God was deeply holistic, viewing all of life as interconnected and sacred. This worldview encouraged believers to embody Christ’s teachings in their daily lives, seeing every act of kindness, hospitality, or care for creation as an expression of their faith.
Celtic saints such as St. Columba and St. Brigid exemplified this integration of faith and life. St. Columba, for instance, was known for his deep connection to nature and his role as a peacemaker. His commitment to reconciliation and fostering community mirrored Jesus’ teachings on loving one’s neighbor and seeking harmony.
St. Brigid of Kildare, another prominent figure in Celtic Christianity, embodied radical generosity and compassion. Stories of her life often highlight her care for the poor and her willingness to share whatever she had, no matter how little. These actions were not seen as separate from her spiritual life but as the very essence of living as Jesus did.
For the Celts, the concept of “thin places” also speaks to this way of life. These were locations where the veil between heaven and earth felt particularly thin, reminding believers of the closeness of God. But more than just physical locations, thin places could also be moments created by living in alignment with Christ’s example—moments where love, justice, and peace brought heaven a little closer to earth.
This Celtic perspective resonates deeply with Jesus’ teaching that “the kingdom of God is within you.” It reminds us that we are called to bring the sacred into the everyday, to live in such a way that God’s presence is made visible through our actions. In this sense, the Celtic approach to faith is a powerful example of what it means to find God by living as Jesus did.
A Call to Action
The distinction between finding God through Jesus and living as Jesus did is not an either-or proposition. Both approaches have value, but they lead to different experiences of faith. To live as Jesus did is to embrace a faith that transforms—a faith that is active, relational, and deeply rooted in the here and now.
Jesus’ life was a radical invitation to live differently, to see the world through the lens of God’s love and to act accordingly. In John 13:15, He said, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” This is the essence of living as Jesus—not merely admiring His life but allowing it to shape and transform our own.
As we reflect on this distinction, let us ask ourselves: How can I embody the life and love of Jesus today? How can my actions reflect the kingdom of God within me? The answer lies not in distant worship but in the daily choice to walk in His footsteps, transforming our hearts, our relationships, and our world.
Ancient Whispers 
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