First, love has to be present in order to be like Him. In the book of I John, God is called love. One of the greatest signs to the world that God is in us and we are His children is love. Love does not mean we do not recognize wrong and sin, but rather will seek to restore. Love covers many sins. In addition, when we are governed by love, we will fulfill the law of Christ.
Jesus said that upon love the law and teachings of the prophets rested. Jesus said to His disciples that he gives them a new commandment. His new commandment was for them to love. If they love God, they would keep His sayings. If they love their neighbors, they will not defraud them in any matter. When we love, we take on the very nature of God.
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength; this is the first commandment. (Mark 12:30)
Second, the believer must press in order to be like Him. This means that we must have endurance and stamina in our walk with God. Walking as Jesus walked takes patience. Jesus had to endure suffering and hardships. If we are to be like Him, we must be willing to suffer and face difficulties. In spite of difficulties, we have to continue to do the will of God.
Jesus was our example. Even after the disciples denied and left Him, He still went to the cross and died. He pressed beyond His feelings and emotions to fulfill the will of the Father. We have to embrace this same mentality and walk in it.
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)
Next, it is imperative that we follow Christ’s example. We need to emulate the actions of Christ. He was a man governed by love. He was a man that fulfilled purpose. He was full of compassion. He was also a holy man, without blame. He obeyed the Father in all things. He humbled Himself. He knew the will of God. If you do not know what to do, follow His lifestyle.
For I have given you an example that ye should do as I have done to you. (John 13:8)
In addition, we must develop His mind. It is not only beneficial to imitate His actions, but there must be a change in our attitudes. The Spirit of God ruled Jesus’ nature and character. The only way we can have the mind of Christ in us is to yield to the Spirit of God.
The Spirit of God renews our minds and helps us to think as Christ would think. Not only does the Spirit of God cause us to have righteous acts, but also righteous thoughts.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5)
Most importantly, to become like Christ, we must obey and become the Word. The Bible calls Christ the Word. Though he came in the flesh, He was still the Word. How could this be? All of His actions were a demonstration of the Word of God.
We, too, can become the Word. As we yield to the Spirit of God and study the Word, we will become the Word. Our lives will become a living demonstration of the Word of God. In this manner, we also become the Word made flesh. For when people see us, they will identify the Word of God.
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only. And, the word was made flesh and dwelt among men. (James 1:22; John 1:14a)
Now, we understand that the plan of God is to produce children. Oftentimes, our desire is only for gifts and ministries. To minister effectively and with power, we have to be like Christ.
God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken to unto us by His Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. (Hebrews 1:1-2)
The writer of Hebrews stated that God is speaking to us in the last days by His Son. The more we become like Him, the more God will be able to speak and minister through us. The highest calling that we could ever have is that of son (or daughter). The gospel of St. Luke gives us an account of Jesus’ and John’s births.
Though there are many titles attributed to Christ, Gabriel said that he would be called Son of the Highest while Zachariah prophesied that John would be called the prophet of the Highest (Luke 1).
John’s title of “prophet” denoted function and not necessarily relationship, while the title of “Son” for Christ revealed His connection to the Father. Therefore, when Jesus spoke of John, he said that there was no greater man born among women. However, Jesus stated that he who was the least in the Kingdom was greater than John. How could this be? In order to be in the Kingdom, there must be a new birth.
You enter the Kingdom as a son or daughter, not as a pastor, minister, prophet, evangelist, etc. We become sometimes infatuated with titles not understanding that above our titles, God wants to call us son (or daughter). Your desire in the Kingdom must be to become a son (or daughter).
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