A True Christian Must be Christ-Like

The purpose of Christianity is to produce Christ-like disciples of Jesus. Jesus died to save us from our sins and sinful nature so that we may become like him. The resurrected life of Christ in us should make us like him. We are born again to be Christ-like.

“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”

John 1:12-13

Christianity is not a social club. It’s not about playing church, attending services, or just calling yourself a Christian in name only. It’s about being like Jesus in all ways; being Holy as he is Holy. This comes from obeying him and submitting to the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. It comes through dying to the old man (self) and living to and for Christ in full surrender. If we are not becoming like Christ we are none of his. All we have is a form of godliness without the power of God (2 Timothy 3:5 ).

Christians were first called so because they were Christ-like

Christians were first called Christians in Antioch because they were Christ-like. The entire city could see Christ in them. Do we see Christ in Christians anymore? Most times, you can’t tell one apart from the unbelievers because Christians have become so worldly. But it wasn’t always so. In the early church Christians were known for their markedly holy Christ-like lives to the extent of being named Christians by unbelievers. The term disciple was understood to mean being actual followers of Christ in word and deed.

“And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.”

Acts 11:26

“Now they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”

Acts 4:13

The Father sent Jesus the Firstborn to redeem many more sons unto him

Jesus came to bring many sons to glory for his father; sons who are like him and not like the world (Hebrews 2;10). His true sons have been crucified with Christ and no longer live but Christ lives in them. These are the true disciples of Jesus. Jesus said, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21

“For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren”

Hebrews 2:11

“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.”

Galatians 2:20

“The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.”

Matthew 10:25

We are predestined to be like our Lord

The Christian life is not meant to be a powerless nominal life. It is not simply about belonging to a religion or institution. It is not about membership in organizations we call churches. The Christian life is born in power; it is a translation from death to life; it is a new birth that changes us from our old selves to those who are becoming Christ-like through the work of the Spirit of God in us. As he is so are we in this world.

“Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.”

1 John 4:17

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.”

Romans 8:29

May the Lord help us to become more Christ-like in Jesus’s name!

“But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

2 Corinthians 3:18

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”

Philippians 2:5

“And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.”

2 Corinthians 5:15

“Now then we are ambassadors for Christ”

2 Corinthians 5:20

---