Christlikeness

Believers are to become Christlike

; 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 like his Son in sanctification, through the Spirit.

See also ; ; ; ; ;

The Holy Spirit makes believers Christlike

2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV

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.

See also ; ;

Christlikeness is the aim of discipleship

Matthew 10:25 NKJV

It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household!

See also ;

Christlikeness is based on total commitment to Jesus Christ

Luke 9:57–62 NKJV

Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, “Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.” And Jesus said to him, “Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.” Then He said to another, “Follow Me.” But he said, “Lord, let me first go and bury my father.” Jesus said to him, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.” And another also said, “Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.” But Jesus said to him, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

See also ; ; ; ; ; ;

The demonstration of Christlikeness

In costly sacrifice

;

See also ; ; ; ; ;

In humility and service

Matthew 20:26–28 NKJV

Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

See also ; ; ; ;

In love for other believers

;

See also ; ; ;

In a readiness to forgive others

Colossians 3:13 NKJV

bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

See also

In sharing Jesus Christ’s mission to the world

Matthew 4:19 NKJV

Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.”

See also

By following godly examples that imitate Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 11:1 NKJV

Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.

See also ; ; ; ; ;

Christlikeness is part of God’s re-creation

; ; ;

The process of becoming Christlike

It is the purpose for which believers are saved

Romans 8:28–29 NKJV

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. 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.

See also ;

It continues in the experience of believers

2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV

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.

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

1 John 3:2–3 NKJV

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.

See also ; ; ; ; ; ;