Last week we learned that we have
the mind of Christ and that we need to renew our mind to think like
He does instead of thinking like the world. It is critical to our
Christian walk that we start to walk and talk like He did and like
He still does. The Father's master plan was that His Son would die
and receive the punishment for our sins, so that we needn't be
punished, but that we can boldly enter into His presence and become
like His Son here on earth. God's trump card was that He was going
to rule this world through living in us. And as we have seen and
discussed, Jesus lives within us and He wants to live through us
and make a difference in this world.
And because He lives within us, the
Scriptures tell us that God wants us to grow and become just like
His Son in every way. In essence our spirits are just like His Son
already, but our souls need to realign in order for us to become as
we truly are.
"...that we may grow up in all
things into Him who is the head - Christ." Ephesians 4:15
"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
"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
It is clear to see that God wants
us to grow up and become more and more like His Son. Paul knew
this, God had revealed it to him and he renewed his mind up and
until a point where he fully imitated Christ. That is why He could
freely say:
"Imitate me, just as I also
imitate Christ." 1 Corinthians 11:1
Paul came to a point where he could
say imitate me, because I am like Christ. And his dream for the
churches he planted was that they also became replicas of Christ,
so that other people could imitate them until they came to the
fullness of Christ. In other words it is possible for Christians to
become like Jesus was. It is not only possible; it is God's will
for us. God wants us to represent Him fully in this world. He wants
us to attract people into His Kingdom.
I hear you say, 'But I am a sinful
man, how can I represent Christ?' But exactly. Jesus came to set
you free from the power of sin and to translate you into His
Kingdom. In His Kingdom there is no sin and the more you focus on
His Kingdom the less you will sin and the more you will reflect His
glory and become like Him. The question is mainly this, do you want
to become like Him or do you like sin too much? A lot of people use
the excuse to say they were born a sinner and they cannot help
their actions. That is not true, they were born a sinner yes, but
when they were born again they were freed from the bondage and
power of sin and translated into His Kingdom. And now they have the
strength to stand up against that sin and get rid of it by the
power of God.
We were meant to be free from sin,
we were meant to walk in His Kingdom as His sons, standing up in
this world for our Father. We were not meant to blend in and become
part of this world. No, we were meant for greater things, we were
meant to walk this earth with the power and ability given to us
from Above. God reigns and He wants to exercise His reign through
us. Allow Him to. Be open to change. Be open to the workings of His
Spirit. Die to self and let Him live through you. That is the
Kingdom way, that is the way to true liberty, freedom and
peace.
Thank you Father that we can become
like Your Son. Thank you that we can be conformed into the same
Image. How wonderful! Help us Father to please You and to do just
that. We want to glorify Your Name and sing praises on high. You
are wonderful and we love You. Amen