Well, today is day 2 of our 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting. I don't know about you, but I see a long road ahead. This week we focus our thoughts and prayers on "Becoming Like Christ." Just to refresh your memory, here is the sermon outline from yesterday:
"In His Image" ~ Romans 8:28-30
The valleys and trenches where we live are often harsh and difficult. Yet, God’s Word confronts us to overcome and become more like Christ, and act the way Jesus did. The challenge is an uphill climb but we are to grow in His image and likeness.
1.) Not everything that happens to us will be good and easy
2.) In spite of these things, God’s plan is for us to grow more like Christ in our attitudes and actions.
Christians are called on to act like Christ. That is what the very word means. A Christian is a person who is a follower of the LORD Jesus Christ and who is to act like Christ in everyday life. Our goal in life os not only to go to heaven, but to act like Jesus and grow and become more like Him. That’s God’s plan for us as believers.
As I meditate of Bro. Doug's words from yesterday morning, the LORD takes me to Paul's letter to the Ephesians. Paul is writing this letter as a great encouragement to the, "...saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus." Throughout the letter, Paul is imploring them to embrace their new identity as redeemed children of the Living God. In chapter 2, he begins walking them through the recounting of their salvation experience, and reminding them in verse 13... "But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ." Praise the LORD!
How encouraging it is to me that regardless of what I have done, or not done for that matter, that I am new in Christ! But there's more...
As Bro. Doug read from our text yesterday in Romans 8, "those He predestined, he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom He justified He also glorified." This is where I want to focus on for a bit.
"Those He called..."
We have all been called to live life as a redeemed child of the Living God through the shed blood of our Redeemer, Christ. What does it mean to "Become like Christ?" We are spending a lot of time on this idea this week, but what does that look like? Going back to Paul's letter to Ephesus, in chapter 4 he gives us some great words of instruction. Paul tells us in Ephesians 4:1-3.
"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."
These 3 verses sum it all up pretty clearly...humble and gentle, patience, bearing one another in love, and making every effort to keep unity of the Spirit through peace. Take this week to examine yourself. Do these traits all describe you? Maybe you need to revisit Matthew ch. 18 and make amends with a brother or sister in Christ before you can grow in your walk with Him.
May the Word of Christ dwell in you richly...
Corey
