- Be like Christ -

christianity (modern definitions)

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate[a] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

what it means to be a christian in brazil

what it means to be a christian in persecuted countries, because now the gospel has pretty much reached most places, except for those marked with persecution

cambodia (tell my story from studying at hkaa, mission opportunity, going twice, what the place is, how the people are

land of the smiling dogs, explain why, mention student calling me out

lapada, privilege to live in a place where you can be a christian, but instead of being the true biblical definition of a christian, you are a selfish incorrect christian

talk about the holidays, what they mean, and what families and friends have become

talk about politics, and the elections next year and how we hate each other due to differing views (how can i live with someone who disagrees fundamentally about something moral? who did jesus spend time with?)

lets imagine, we live in a country that has persecution: the question is not if you would be willing to die for Christ, because of course right now it’s easy to say. but the question is: would there be enough evidence to accuse you of being a true christian?

I lived in China, I saw how persecution works, in a discrete way that no one expects. The enemy is cunning, he won’t have to threaten your physical integrity if he has you distracted. that is what is happening around the world. churches that don’t grow, young people that don’t stay. life is getting easier, and the need for God is leaving. more than 200 million people have never heard the name Jesus. and the ones that do know Christ, and try to spread His word, are stopped.

Movimento Patriótico das Três Autonomias:

organização oficial que supervisiona o protestantismo na China, promovendo a autogestão, autossustento e autopropagação das igrejas, visando eliminar influências estrangeiras e alinhar a fé com as políticas do Partido Comunista Chinês (PCC). Ele opera junto com o Conselho Cristão da China (CCC) para supervisionar as igrejas reconhecidas pelo Estado, contrastando com as "igrejas domésticas" não registradas. a maioria dos cristaos la porem preferem “house churches”, grupos dentro de casas, porque podem pregar e estudar a palavra livremente. isso tem criado muito desafio na China, menores de 18 anos inclusive não podem se afiliar com uma religiao.

recently in these past months, the chinese government has closed down hundreds of churches and imprisoned many more christians, because they refuse to let the government interfere with the mission. while we become more worldy for free, the Chinese christians are dying to become more like Christ.

Christ is coming back. and the more He lingers, the more greatful we should be because of His mercy for us. Every second that he is late to come back is a chance for us and the ones around us, the ones we love, to turn to Him. But remember, He will come back. That is why it is our utmost duty to live like Christ and prepare the harvest for the second coming. nothing else matters more than this. But how can we live like Christ? William Temple, Archbishop in the 1940s, used to illustrate this point from Shakespeare:

It is no good giving me a play like Hamlet or King Lear and telling me to write a play like that. Shakespeare could do it—I can’t. And it is no good showing me a life like the life of Jesus and telling me to live a life like that. Jesus could do it—I can’t. But if the genius of Shakespeare could come and live in me, then I could write plays like this. And if the Spirit could come into me, then I could live a life like His.

we must remain faithful and focused on the real reason why each of us are here. There are –

1. Souls to be saved.

2. Lives to be set free.

3. Bodies to be healed from sickness.

that is what Christ did when He was here. God didn’t ask you to die for your sins ans everyone else’s, He gave his one and only son for that. He only asks us to reflect His character, and save souls, set lives free, and heal people. can i have wealth, security, family, work? yes. but if one or more of these things is hindering you from your true God-given purpose, cut it off.

The new year is coming, we just had the wonderful Christmas celebration. in this New Year, I pray that we may all be greatly blessed, the way God wishes. I pray that God’s plans for you come to fruition. But that does not mean you will have an easy year. Today, we need to understand, that to dedicate our life to God, we have to live like Christ. It is not a burden, it is a privilege. It may be hard but it becomes easy.

John Poulton, who has written about this in a perceptive little book entitled, A Today Sort of Evangelism, wrote this:

The most effective preaching comes from those who embody the things they are saying. They are their message. Christians need to look like what they are talking about. It is people who communicate primarily, not words or ideas. Authenticity gets across. Deep down inside people, what communicates now is basically personal authenticity.

i would dare affirm that: if all christians, acted like true christians, reflecting Christ entirely, there would be no Islam, no Hinduism, No Atheism. Christ would return very, very soon. May 2026 be a blessed year, but let us make haste, and do our best for it to be our last year on this Earth. Be not attached to things of this world. Enjoy it, live it fully, feel accomplished, proud, enjoy your family. But may all you do, and wherever your feet touch, may the Spirit of God flow through you and touch the need hearts. Be happy, for you have been given a beautiful, honorable task.

Song

As it is said in Romans 8:29

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

we are molded by God to become like Christ, through his presence in our lives. If Christ did it first, so you can do it too. But for that, you must have him in you.