Living like Jesus: 3 Reasons Christians Should be Leading on the High Road

Recently, my pastor, Todd Mullins, challenged our congregation at Christ Fellowship to adopt a biblical perspective of who we are as Christians and how to live our lives. As he did this, he reminded us of three powerful truths about ourselves as followers of Christ:

1. WE ARE NOT ONLY CITIZENS OF A COUNTRY—WE ARE CITIZENS OF HEAVEN

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul challenged them not to be “enemies of the cross of Christ.” He pointed out, “Their mind is set on earthly things,” but reminded them as followers of Christ, “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” (3:18-21). In other words, we’re only passing through this world. Heaven is our true home, and we must never forget that.

2. WE ARE NOT JUST CITIZENS OF HEAVEN—WE ARE AMBASSADORS OF CHRIST

In 2 Corinthians, Paul stated that God “has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:19-20). The role of an ambassador is an important one. 

As ambassadors, we represent Christ—His kingdom, His values, His love. We don’t get to speak our own message. Our mission is to carry His message of reconciliation and hope to a world that desperately needs it.

Jesus, the ultimate high-road leader, expects us to live out high-road behavior with others in everything we do. Our world is filled with people who live on the low road. That’s understandable because our world is filled with sin and darkness. What kind of ambassadors are we if our actions and values as Christians are the same as those who have no relationship with God? When we live that way, how can we be a light in this dark world?

3. WE ARE NOT JUST AMBASSADORS OF CHRIST—WE ARE CHOSEN TO DO PRIESTLY WORK

In his first letter, the apostle Peter wrote to believers,

“But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life in your neighborhood so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.”

(1 Peter 2:9–12, msg)

As I reflect on Pastor Todd’s message, it’s clear that if we carry Christ’s name, we must attempt to live like He lived. But actions follow beliefs. We must look at the others in our lives and see what He saw:

• Jesus looked at fishermen and believed they could be leaders.
• Jesus looked at Zacchaeus and believed he could become honest.
• Jesus looked at Lazarus and believed he could be raised.
• Jesus looked at the Samaritan woman and believed she had value.
• Jesus looked at the sick and believed they could be healed.
• Jesus looked at the thief and believed he could be forgiven.

Even when the world didn’t see their value, Jesus did. He met people where they were, but saw them for who they could be. He wanted the best for them and pursued it, putting others before himself. Through every step of his life and ministry, he showed us what true high road leadership looked like. And if we walk with Him on the high road, others will want to follow.

Who you learn from – and lead after – matters.

John Maxwell and Chris Hodges have spent their lives striving to follow Jesus and share His message with others. Like you, they want to be salt and light so others will have a relationship with Jesus. To do that, they understand that we must make people hungry, not angry. In their brand-new book, Jesus: The High Road Leader, they share eight behaviors Jesus modeled in the Gospels that have taught and empowered us to be salt and light to others. Get yours today to see how Jesus walked the high road and how you can follow in His footsteps.