Growth SpurtSample

Christ-Likeness

We’re still talking about spiritual growth, using the acronym R.E.F.L.E.C.T. to describe what the mature believer looks like. Today we’re talking about the “C” – Christ-likeness. The mature believer imitates Christ in a life of self-denial, sacrifice, servanthood, and sanctity. A disciple is one who follows Jesus and becomes like Him.

The disciple’s life has one, singular focus–to imitate Christ, to walk as he walked, to live as Jesus lived. There’s no way to live the Christian life that doesn’t end up with you walking as Jesus walked. The purpose of your life is to become like Him. That’s what your time on earth is for, it’s the work of His Spirit that is empowering you at all times. There’s no way you finish this life without being made after His likeness–but the process requires your participation, and your willingness to change and be obedient.

You must have a clear picture of the pattern you are imitating. Most of us think we have a pretty good idea of who Jesus was, what He stood for, and how He lived. But the truth is, we tend to create Jesus in our own image. Funny how it works–you say you’re lifting up Jesus, but it sounds like you’re only lifting up some idealized version of yourself. It’s probably a bad sign if the Jesus you imagine turns out to like all the same things you like and hate all the same things you hate. Jesus didn’t die just to make you a better version of you. Jesus died to make you to be like Him.

A lot of people don’t know what Jesus would say or do, because they don’t know what Jesus actually said and did. Jesus routinely did the opposite of what people expected. He wasn’t led by public opinion or human reasonings but by the Holy Spirit. Jesus had his own higher priorities, principles, and purpose–and these qualities are what we must imitate.

We can study the portrait of Jesus painted in the New Testament and identify a number of key character traits we try to adopt, like love, courage, purpose-drivenness, and holiness. But we have to reckon with the fact that Jesus is the perfect embodiment of such attributes. Christ must matter more to you than you matter to yourself. Christ brings you new life, but not until after you die to yourself. Being a disciple means we hold nothing back for ourselves, so give Him your all.