How do you become more Christlike?

Quick Answer: How do you become more Christlike? We often hear we need to become more like Christ. But this isn’t the best way to think of our Christian journey. When we believe in Jesus, we are made like Jesus at the core (1 John 4:17), even though our performance (attitudes and actions) do change over time (Romans 12:2).

Diving Deeper: Religious teachings often encourage us to try to become more like Christ. The problem with this idea is that it assumes we’re not already like Him! But Scripture says we are actually exactly like Him even while we are in this world (1 John 4:17). Ephesians 2:10 says we are God’s workmanship, created for good works. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says we are new creations in Christ.

It is crucial to recognize that we were already made new and like Jesus at salvation. With this truth in mind, we can count ourselves dead to sin and alive to God (Romans 6:11) as temptation hits. Of course, this does not mean that our thinking and behavior are always like Jesus. Over time, our performance (attitudes and actions) do reflect more and more of who we already are in Christ. The Apostle Paul encourages us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2). We are learning and growing in our understanding, but from the very start of our new life in Christ, we are like Him (1 John 4:17).

Religions of the world invite us to imitate historical teachers and become more like them. What separates Christianity from those world religions is that the Teacher is alive today, living in us (Ephesians 1:13-14). We are born of Him, and we are like Him at the core. This means you can be yourself and express Jesus at the same time – without any conflict!

In conclusion, while it’s true that we can be “more like Christ” in our attitudes and actions (bearing the fruit of the Spirit), we believers are already like Christ in our identity as we’ve been given His righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:21; Romans 4:25; Romans 6:18).

Let’s Make It a Conversation!
1. Do you think it’s important to separate who you are from what you do? Why or why not?
2. React to this statement: You’re already like Jesus, even though you don’t always act like it.
3. Imagine the Christian life if you were not like Jesus at the core. Wouldn’t it be an invitation to fake it? Why or why not?
4. React to this statement: You’re outwardly reflecting, more and more, who you are inwardly.