Christlikeness 2023

Romans 8:29 ESV

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

CHRISTLIKENESS

Introduction

The most central word of discipleship: christlikeness. Matt.10:25.

There is no other reality, compound noun, that can fit this amazing word: CHRISTLIKENESS.

Matt. 28 - make disciples. The center of discipleship is christlikeness.

Discipleship starts at home with my spouse and my children.

The Bible talks about the image of Jesus (Rom. 8:29, Col. 3:10, 2 Cor. 3:18).

What is the center of Christianity? Jesus Christ! Not His resurrection, not His death, nothing He did, but Him firstly.

Ok. So I get. It’s a must: what now? How do I get there? Have you ever heard an explanation? The preachers name it, they tell us about it, they name it the standard, but how do I get there?

CHRISTLIKENESS is our destiny!

Rom. 8:29 + context:

Those who are in Christ Jesus are no more condemned. (Rom. 8:1)

They walk by the Spirit, because the Spirit has set them free. (Rom. 8:2)

They have set their mind on the things of the Spirit, spiritual things, because they walk by the Spirit (Rom. 8:5)

They are not anymore in the flesh but IN the Spirit (Rom. 8:9) if the Spirit dwells in them.

All the deeds of the flesh die only through the power of the Spirit that dwells in us (Rom. 8:13).

Firstfruits of the Spirit (Rom. 8:23):

The firstfruits refers to the Jewish custom of bringing the first of the harvest to the temple and offering it to God (Lev. 23:10–11). This consecrated the whole harvest, and it carries with it the thought that there will be later fruits (otherwise there is no point in “first”). The concept is mainly Pauline in the New Testament. Whereas in the Old Testament the word normally refers to what we give to God, Paul usually has it for what God gives to us, with the thought that more is in store. Paul is saying here that the measure of the Holy Spirit that we now have is but a foretaste of the greater measure there will be in the age to come - Leon Morris. Romans.

The Spirit helps us in our weakness.

We do not always know how to pray right even if the subjects are correct.

Knox: our needs go far beyond the power of our speech to express them.

There are groanings to deep for words (Rom. 8:26). But Paul doesn’t say that the Spirit is groaning. The Spirit intercedes (!) with/in groans. These groans may well be those of the believer. Paul seems to be saying that when we cannot find words in which to express our prayer and can do no better than make inarticulate sounds, the Spirit takes those sounds and makes them into effective intercession. Leon Morris, Romans.

All things work together for good (Rom. 8:28). What is that good? Christlikeness!

Three things about Rom. 8:29!

All things work together for our good = christlikeness

Our good is christlikeness

Only God can turn all things to work something good!

We are predestined for christlikeness - the initiative for christlikeness is His, not ours! It is literally God’s plan.

Whenever we accept God’s plan and we allow the Holy Spirit to work in us the christlikeness reality, we foretaste the final glory! (Rom. 8:30c).

It’s God’s plan. This is our destiny! Let’s compare God’s destiny for us with our plans for 2023.

Does 2023 match the destiny God has set for us?

There was one great king. He had one son that was a great warrior and a kind person. One day, his son wanted to add some members to the family, adopting some children from the streets. They were called and brought to the palace. They lived for several days there and then the King told them: ‘’ we want to have you as a part of our family. The goal is that you will become like my son; you will behave like him. You will dress yourselves like him. you will talk like him.’’ But these sons he adopted didn’t care of his standard too much. Soon enough they wanted to dress themselves like other persons from the palace. They wanted to talk things that the prince wouldn’t talk. They wanted to go in place that the prince would never go.. The days passed away and years passed away as well. One day the King called all his sons to him and he asked them to stay in one single lane. Then he also called the elder son. With grief the king said: I told you one single thing: to be like my oldest son. None of you is dressed like him; none of you speaks like him; none of you goes in the places where he goes. You have returned to your old life but you missed one thing: you are in a new place. You either chose the new life style either you go to that place where your lifestyle fits the best.

What should we do then? Let’s accept with joy the plan that with thousand of years before was made for us: christlikeness.

There is no in-between-likeness.

Christlikeness or satanlikeness

Col. 3:10 & 2 Cor. 3:18 - which one should be the next verse for our study?

We cannot see how old and dirty is our being until we meet the Prince of Heaven, Jesus Christ. Comparing with others might make us think: I’m the best in town. Well, there are things greater than your town.

In order to look like Jesus we must first look at Jesus! 2 Cor. 3:18

When a jew turns to the Lord the veil is removed and he can understand the whole Old Testament.

Unimpeded vision of christians. Murray

Transformation by vision - 1 John 3:2. You are what you intentionally look at!

God’s glory was revealed in Jesus (John 1:14)

The concept of mirror had multiple meanings in the greek society: (1) purity, (2) self-knowledge, (3) indirect knowledge.

The meaning that fit’s now: we look at God’s glory in a mediated manner, mediated by the Gospel!

Normally, when we look in the mirror we see ourselves. The language of this verse teaches us that we look for somebody else in the mirror to see not what we are but what we must become.

Transformed into the same image that we see mirrored. Murray

Glory to glory = from a degree to another.

The present transformation is continuous and progressive. The future transformation is instantaneous and complete (1 Cor. 13:12; 15:49; 1 John 3:2).

In stark contrast with the radiance on Moses’ face that faded (2 Cor. 3:7), the glory of the Lord is reflected in believer’ lives gradually increases. Murray

We are predestined for christlikeness.

But we must look intentionally at Jesus, every day.

Whoever looks intentionally at Jesus (with the purpose of christlikeness in his heart), he will look like Jesus!

Have a fresh image of Jesus everyday from the Scriptures. Any place you read from, it should lead you to Jesus. If not, ask a more mature disciple to teach you how to see Jesus from anywhere in the Bible!

Whenever you hear a sermon, look at Jesus!

Whenever you hear a song: look at Jesus!

Whenever you hear a conversation of two people in the parking lot. Cannot see Jesus? Leave the discussion.

Stop lying!

Col. 3:10 - lit. stop lying!

old man has evil practices.

New man is renewed towards knowledge according to the image of his creator.

Did you ever hear about a new thing not getting older? The christians are getting newer and newer. Because God is infinite, so He’s always new! Having a fresh image of Him every morning makes me stop lying! Col. 3:8!

Rom. 13:14 - clothe yourself with Jesus!

Col. 3:11

All these things belong to those that want to be christlike. Everybody else is satanlikeness. We don’t want to talk about satan and his fellows but about JESUS and His followers!

ENDING!

Before being anxious about ‘what am I gonna do to accomplish it’, understand that God has planned it thousands of years before. CHRISTLIKENESS is your destiny..

Before starting to do this and that, have a fresh look at Jesus Christ every day, through studying (not just reading) the Scriptures. Christlikeness starts with CHRIST!

Now, that we’ve seen Him, can we not desire with our entire being to be like Him? He lives in us! We are clothed with Him! He is our cause and goal!