The Purpose Driven Life, Chapter Twenty Two
Created To Become Like Christ
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Purpose Number Three: You Were Created To Become Like Christ
We are spiritual beings--our spirits are immortal and will outlast our earthly bodies; we are intellectual--we can think, reason, and solve problems; we are relational--we can give and receive real love; and we have a moral consciousness--we can discern right from wrong, which makes us accountable to God.
God wants His children to bear His image and likeness BUT we will never become God or even a god. That prideful lie is Satan's oldest temptation.
The desire to be a god shows up every time we try to control our circumstances, our future, and people around us. God doesn't want you to become a god. He wants you to become godly--taking on His values, attitudes and character.
God's ultimate goal for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development. He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ. Every time you forget that character is one of God's purposes for your life, you will become frustrated by your circumstances.
The process of changing us to be more like Jesus is called sanctification, and it is the third purpose of your life on earth. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to make the changes God wants to make in our lives.
WE MUST COOPERATE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WORK
The Holy Spirit releases His power the moment you take a step of faith. God waits for you to act first. Don't wait to feel powerful or confident. Move ahead in your weakness, doing the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings.
RESPONSIBILITIES IN BECOMING LIKE CHRIST
1) We must choose to let go of old ways of acting.
2) We must change the way we think.
3) We must "put on" the character of Christ by developing new, godly habits. Your character is essentially the sum of your habits; it is how you habitually act.
GOD USES HIS WORD, PEOPLE, AND CIRCUMSTANCES TO MOLD US
God's Word provides the truth we need to grow.
God's people provide the support we need to grow.
Circumstances provide the environment we need to practice Christlikeness.
True spiritual maturity is all about learning to love like Jesus, and you can't practice being like Jesus without being in relationship with other people.
BECOMING LIKE CHRIST IS A LONG, SLOW PROCESS OF GROWTH
It will only be finished when you get to heaven or when Jesus returns. At that point, whatever unfinished work on your character is left will be wrapped up.
God is far more interested in what you are than in what you do. Jesus wants to make us like Himself before He takes us to heaven. This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility, and our ultimate destiny.
We are spiritual beings--our spirits are immortal and will outlast our earthly bodies; we are intellectual--we can think, reason, and solve problems; we are relational--we can give and receive real love; and we have a moral consciousness--we can discern right from wrong, which makes us accountable to God.
God wants His children to bear His image and likeness BUT we will never become God or even a god. That prideful lie is Satan's oldest temptation.
The desire to be a god shows up every time we try to control our circumstances, our future, and people around us. God doesn't want you to become a god. He wants you to become godly--taking on His values, attitudes and character.
God's ultimate goal for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development. He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ. Every time you forget that character is one of God's purposes for your life, you will become frustrated by your circumstances.
The process of changing us to be more like Jesus is called sanctification, and it is the third purpose of your life on earth. Only the Holy Spirit has the power to make the changes God wants to make in our lives.
WE MUST COOPERATE WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT'S WORK
The Holy Spirit releases His power the moment you take a step of faith. God waits for you to act first. Don't wait to feel powerful or confident. Move ahead in your weakness, doing the right thing in spite of your fears and feelings.
RESPONSIBILITIES IN BECOMING LIKE CHRIST
1) We must choose to let go of old ways of acting.
2) We must change the way we think.
3) We must "put on" the character of Christ by developing new, godly habits. Your character is essentially the sum of your habits; it is how you habitually act.
GOD USES HIS WORD, PEOPLE, AND CIRCUMSTANCES TO MOLD US
God's Word provides the truth we need to grow.
God's people provide the support we need to grow.
Circumstances provide the environment we need to practice Christlikeness.
True spiritual maturity is all about learning to love like Jesus, and you can't practice being like Jesus without being in relationship with other people.
BECOMING LIKE CHRIST IS A LONG, SLOW PROCESS OF GROWTH
It will only be finished when you get to heaven or when Jesus returns. At that point, whatever unfinished work on your character is left will be wrapped up.
God is far more interested in what you are than in what you do. Jesus wants to make us like Himself before He takes us to heaven. This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility, and our ultimate destiny.