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Christians say that their goal is to become like Christ. Just what exactly does that mean? What characteristics of Christ are we supposed to develop?
Our conversion from sinner to child of God includes a change of mindset. One of the first steps in becoming Christlike is to adopt the mindset of Christ. “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:” (Philippians 2:5) When we choose to surrender our lives and our will to God, we take a first step on the path towards a Christlike mind. We are using our will to choose God over the world, just as Christ did when He went to the cross for our sakes. Many of the characteristics of Christ, like kindness, goodness, patience and obedience, will be obtained by first using our will to make a decision to change.
Once we make a choice to become more Christlike, the Holy Spirit takes us further. “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) We give our willingness and the Holy Spirit begins the transformation of our spirit to a Christlike spirit. His work in us is what makes the transformation possible.
Our total commitment to Christ is what makes it possible for the Holy Spirit to transform us into Christlike beings. Look at the example of Matthew: “And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.” (Matthew 9:9) While the other disciples had trades they could return to if they needed, Matthew was a tax collector and when he left his booth to follow Christ, he left behind his ability to earn a living. That took total commitment and faith and that is the kind of commitment we must make to be transformed.
Choosing discipleship to Christ was Matthew’s way of expressing his total commitment. The point of discipleship is to become like the teacher. “It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord.” (Matthew 10:25a) While Matthew was able to follow the human Christ, we also choose to be disciples and we follow the teachings of Christ. In these teachings we learn what our teacher was like and as His Spirit is revealed to our spirit, we become more like Him.
Matthew’s commitment shows us that he made a significant sacrifice to follow Christ. We may be called on for such a sacrifice some day, too. “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.” (Mark 8:35) This is where the rubber meets the road and our true commitment to Christ is revealed. In the U.S., we have not had to make many sacrifices for our faith but in many other countries, Christians have been tried terribly for their dedication to Christ. It bears thinking about how much we are willing to sacrifice for Christ. The answer will reveal a great deal about our commitment and how far we have come in the journey to become Christlike.
What characteristics reveal Christ in us? Humility will probably be on the top of the list. “And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant:” (Matthew 20:27) God came to us on earth not as a richly robed king but as a penniless teacher, a servant. He suffered shame and degradation for our sakes. Are we willing to suffer the same for His sake?
If we are, it will show in our love for others. Jesus suffered for us because He loved us. He asks us to love each other in return. “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) The progress of our transformation can probably be gauged by our love for others. And, not just the people that are easy to love, but our love for those who have hurt us, too.
Loving those who have hurt us requires forgiveness. Christ came to us to make forgiveness for our sins possible. We didn’t earn or deserve forgiveness; He gave it to us anyway. He had every right to not forgive us but he forgave us anyway. He is our example of how we are to forgive. “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.” (Colossians 3:13) Even if we have every right to not forgive, we must do it anyway to become Christlike.
Christlike behavior includes spreading the gospel. Jesus came to save us but He also came to teach us. “And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19) He passed on the responsibility of teaching to us. Telling the Good News that Jesus brought us carries on His work and makes us more like Him.
As we teach we also learn and grow till we no longer find the old dead spirit in us but see Christ in us. “Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, “ (Philippians 3:21a) The change will be gradual and we will slide backwards sometimes. It will not be complete on earth, either, but we should strive to become as much like our beloved Savior as we can while we are in this world. Only in heaven will the work be completed in us: “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2)
We cannot make ourselves Christlike, we must rely on the Holy Spirit to do that work. Our job is to be willing to change and to walk in the changes the Spirit makes in us. We must be committed to change completely. When we are, the love of Christ will shine from us and we will become forgiving and humble teachers of the Gospel. Remember “…that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: (Philippians 1:6)
(All Scripture is KJV)
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