Christlikeness

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“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

“Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” Luke 9:23-24

“Therefore, be imitators of God, as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.” Ephesians 5:1-2

“But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.”  2 Corinthians 3:18

“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans‬ 8‬:29‬ ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Now that you are born again, you can start to live your life like Christ. The important thing to know is that this all started on the inside of you. The kingdom of God is about the inside working out, versus only looking at the external realities. You are going to produce the fruit of righteousness because you are born of God, “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). 

There are no other options because of this reality. If your external behaviors aren’t the fruit of the Spirit, then you can repent, which simply means you turn away from sin and thank Jesus that you are becoming like Christ. From the start of walking with God, you will notice that your life is becoming more and more like Christ. This is the work of the Holy Spirit inside of you. I don’t think it means that you are perfect, but you are abiding in Jesus to become more like Him. You're authentic in your relationship with God and others. 

If you stumble in sin, then you ask for forgiveness and repent. As Scripture says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Your life before Christ was you, living for yourself, but now you have chosen to deny yourself and your ways that are all about you. You have now chosen to love others unconditionally like Christ. A life centered around you and your feelings is no longer a priority, just like Jesus didn’t live for himself.  

Jesus is the Lord of your life, and you are now following Him and not your own fleshly desires. As you read the Word of God and meditate on the Gospel, the more you will start to talk and walk like Jesus. This is the number one goal that you have as a follower of Christ: It is to manifest the image of Jesus to everyone around you. This is why Christians were called Christians initially because they were “Christ-like ones,” and you, too, are one who is like Christ to those with whom you interact on a weekly basis.

Prayer: 

“Thank You, Jesus, that I am becoming more and more like You every day. Thank You for the work of the Holy Spirit on the inside of me. Thank You that the world around me will see You in me. Amen.”