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 like his Son in sanctification, through the Spirit.

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

The Holy Spirit makes believers Christlike

2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV 1900

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

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

Christlikeness is the aim of discipleship

Matthew 10:25 KJV 1900

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?

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

Christlikeness is based on total commitment to Jesus Christ

Luke 9:57–62 KJV 1900

And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto him, Lord, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest. And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head. And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God. And another also said, Lord, I will follow thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

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

The demonstration of Christlikeness

In costly sacrifice

Mk 8:34–35; 1 Pe 2:21–23

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

In humility and service

Matthew 20:26–28 KJV 1900

But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

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

In love for other believers

Jn 15:12; 1 Jn 3:16

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

In a readiness to forgive others

Colossians 3:13 KJV 1900

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

See also Mt 6:12

In sharing Jesus Christ’s mission to the world

Matthew 4:19 KJV 1900

And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

See also Jn 20:21

By following godly examples that imitate Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV 1900

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

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

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 KJV 1900

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

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

It continues in the experience of believers

2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV 1900

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

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

1 John 3:2–3 KJV 1900

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.

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