Christlikeness

Believers are to become Christlike

1 Co 11:1; Php 2:5 Paul is arguing that believers must allow God to make them Christlike, which is the natural goal of their process of growing in faith. Christlikeness is not achieved by people merely trying to imitate Jesus Christ, but by God making believers more likChristlikenesse his Son in sanctification, through Christlikenessthe Spirit.

See also Ro 8:29; Php 3:20–21; 1 Jn 2:6; Jn 13:15; Php 3:8–11; Eph 4:11–13

The Holy Spirit makes believers Christlike

2 Corinthians 3:18

See also 1 Th 1:6; Ro 8:5–9; Ga 5:22–23

Christlikeness is the aim of discipleship

Matthew 10:25

See also 1 Jn 2:6; Lk 6:40

Christlikeness is based on total commitment to Jesus Christ

Luke 9:57–62

See also Jn 15:10; Jn 10:27; Mt 9:9; 2 Jn 9; Mt 19:21; Jn 12:26; Jn 1:43

The demonstration of Christlikeness

In costly sacrifice

Mk 8:34–35; 1 Pe 2:21–23

See also Php 3:10; Mt 10:38; Lk 14:26–27; 1 Pe 4:1; Jn 12:26; Jn 21:19

In humility and service

Matthew 20:26–28

See also Mt 11:29; Jn 13:14–15; Mk 9:35; Lk 22:24–26; Php 2:4–5

In love for other believers

Jn 15:12; 1 Jn 3:16

See also Jn 13:34; Eph 5:25; Eph 5:2; Jn 15:17

In a readiness to forgive others

Colossians 3:13

See also Mt 6:12

In sharing Jesus Christ’s mission to the world

Matthew 4:19

See also Jn 20:21

By following godly examples that imitate Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 11:1

See also Eph 5:1; Heb 6:12; 1 Th 2:14; 3 Jn 11; 1 Th 1:5–6; Heb 13:7–8

Christlikeness is part of God’s re-creation

Ge 1:26–27; 2 Co 4:4; Eph 4:24; Col 3:10

The process of becoming Christlike

It is the purpose for which believers are saved

Romans 8:28–29

See also 2 Pe 1:4; Eph 2:10

It continues in the experience of believers

2 Corinthians 3:18

It will be complete when believers finally share Jesus Christ’s glory

1 John 3:2–3

See also Jn 17:24; Ps 17:15; Col 3:4; Php 3:20–21; Ga 4:19; 1 Co 15:49–53; 1 Jn 4:17