Being "Christlike" isn't some unreachable ideal. It is what God expects and commands. Many people are struggling with character issues. God has proven processes to help you be like Jesus.
Most of this video is a step by step process you can do today to empower Holy Spirit to make you more like Jesus. It's not an automatic process.
Holy Spirit does the heavy lifting, but you need to make yourself available, and do the work to "put on" Christ. Do the activation. You'll be glad you did.
We don’t become like Christ by trying to act like Him.
Human Character is fatally flawed. We all know Human love fails us. God’s love NEVER FAILS (1 Corinthians 13) Just as God regenerated our spirits when we were born again, Christlike character comes only from God. We receive it from Him.
Today’s activation gives you practical steps you can take today to receive Jesus’ amazing character.
Put On Christ
We need to replace our flawed “fallen human” character with Christ’s supernatural character. We “put on” Christ’s character.
Romans 13:14 NIRV
Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ as if he were your clothing. Don’t think about how to satisfy sinful desires.
Colossians 3:12 (NIV)
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Daily, when You choose to put on Jesus’ character, Holy Spirit forms Jesus’ character in you. He enables you to live like Jesus no matter what is happening around you or to you.
Galatians 5:22 NLT
But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
When you reach the end of your patience, your love, or your peace, ask Holy Spirit to give you Jesus limitless, unfailing character. And He will.
****Activation – Romans 12 Transformation
Romans 12:1-2 explains to us how God transforms us into a new creation. That new creation is a completely different person.
Transformation is the sanctification of your soul (your desires, your emotions, your thoughts, beliefs and your will). Sanctification means 2 things in scripture: 1) to be made holy and 2) to be set apart for God’s purposes.
This is God’s process to prepare you for the two great works of your life: first, who you will become is the greatest present you will give to Jesus at the end of your life. Second, what you will do with your life (the works God prepared for you to do) is the other gift you will give to Jesus when you go to heaven.
You put on Christ, you become like Jesus, as you:
1. Daily desire to be like Jesus.
Psalm 37:4 NASB promises:
Delight yourself in the LORD; And He will give you the desires of your heart.
2. Rejecting the thoughts, beliefs and ways of the world.
God’s character is unfailing love, unfailing peace, etc. Human character falls far short. We need to reject the inferior and embrace the superior – we need to put on Christ’s character.
3. Daily renew Your mind with God’s Word – the Bible.
Romans 12:2 NASB
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind
Romans 12:2 NLT
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
**What fruit of the Holy Spirit do you most need in your life?
Daily read scriptures about that character trait. Read stories of Jesus’ life where he demonstrates those traits. (A quick internet search: “Scripture about X” will help you find those verses/stories)
Ask Holy Spirit to help you Develop those traits.
Holy Spirit will answer that prayer. Scripture empowers us. But character must be tested to be developed. You may quickly have circumstances that test that character trait. And you may fail. It’s okay. You’re in Christ’s school of character. Get up. Dust yourself off, learn from your failures, and overcome the next time with Christ’s character empowering you.
4. Then, You will know God’s plans and purposes for your life.
Romans 12:2 EASY
Do not become like the people who belong to this world. But let God completely change the way that you think, so that you live differently. Then you will understand what God wants you to do. You will know what is good. You will know what pleases God. You will know what is completely right.
5. Immediately obey what God tells you. This is how we show our love for God .
What is holding many of us back from the greater assignments God has for us is our character. You need His character to carry the weight and the glory of the work He has prepared for you to do.
Go, put on Christ’s character, and transform your world!