Becoming Like Christ, Part 1

Chuckle: "Why is the word "abbreviation" so long?" --Unknown

Good Quote: “It is, of course, always easier to speak of Christ-like attributes in the abstract than to practice them in the heat of battle.” --Spencer J. Condie

"YOU WERE CREATED TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST!"   (Unless otherwise noted, quotations are from Rick Warren's "Meditations on the Purpose Driven Life.")

"From the very beginning God decided that those who came to Him -- and all along he knew who would -- should become like His Son, so His Son would be the First with many brothers" (Romans 8:29 LB).

A brief review: Rick Warren has identified from Scripture five purposes for you life and mine: Our daily studies are focused on these purposes. So far we have seen that our first purpose is "You Were Planned for God's Pleasure" through worship and service to Him. Second, "You were Formed for a Family" (God's Family), and to have fellowship with Him and other believers within His family (church). Today, we begin a summary of the third purpose, "You Were Created to Become Like Christ."

When babies are born into our physical families, we lovingly look at them and sometimes wish they would never grow up -- they are so innocent, sweet, and cuddly. . . . But we know that in God's natural plan, each of them will grow and mature into adulthood. It is the nature of a healthy child to grow up. It just happens. Likewise, when we are born into God's family by accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior, the Bible tells us we are babies in Christ. God desires it to be just as natural for a spiritual baby to grow up as a physical one. As we grow spiritually, we become more and more like Christ, himself.

"The process that God uses to make you like Jesus is called Discipleship." A simple definition of discipleship is following and learning Christ -- becoming like Christ. "God is far more interested in what you are than what you do because you're not taking your career into heaven, but you are taking your character." God's indwelling Holy Spirit wants to produce Christ-like character in you. The Bible says, "As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more" (2 Corinthians 3:18 LB).

Discipleship includes (1) believing (having faith) in Jesus Christ; (2) being obedient to God's Word; and (3) having your life transformed into the likeness of Jesus. This transformation is God's ultimate goal for every believer. We must first have within us the "want to" before God's Word and the Holy Spirit can teach us the "how to" of becoming more like Christ every day.

Have a great day as you allow God to make you more like Jesus!

Love, Jerry & Dotse