Posted on May 22, 2024, 10:04 a.m. by Rev. Shobayo Kayode (The Gospel Study Centre)
Christ-like life living should be the wish and goal of every believer of Christ. Believers to enjoy good life now and the hope to reign with Christ when He comes the second time is hung on living His lifestyle. It is also God’s desire for man. God has from creation predestined man to conform to the image of His Son, who is the firstborn among many brethren (Rom.8:29). God creating man in His own image signifies His desire for man to be like Jesus Christ who is the true image God the Father. (John.14:9) The Christ-like life can simply be described as life of separation from evil. The character trait that He exhibited when He lived on the earth in human form. The character traits include among many others, tender-mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, long- suffering, forgiveness. When it comes to a topic like this, I have heard believer say, “I am not Jesus Christ, and I cannot be Him”. Yes, it is true no one has ever been Jesus Christ except Christ Himself and no one can ever be Christ. But it is about living the type of life He lived when He was in human form. Some other believers say, “it is not possible to live Christ life in this present time”. To such believers, I say it is possible to. This is based on the fact that the name “Christian” came about, as a result of some believers of Christ that displayed Christ-like living in Antioch. (Acts.11:26) History has it that life of Christians at that time were in more danger than now. It therefore shows that it is possible to live Christ like life even now. Jesus has made living His lifestyle possible for believers through His Spirit that He has giving to them. (John.14:17) Beyond the help of the Holy Spirit, living Christ-like lifestyle requires believer’s commitments. The scripture says “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians.2:12b) Working out one’s salvation is the commitment laid on believer to learn to stand on his own feet through the example of Jesus Christ with a sense of human frailty but knowing that God is behind him. Believer must desire and aspire the Christ-like living. He knows that “For it is God who works in him both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Phil.2:13) therefore when he desires and aspires, the Spirit of God then takes over and makes it possible for him to do. Apostle Paul says, “imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Cor.11:1). It means that imitating Christ character trait can help believer attain Christ-like living. When we continuously imitate Him on daily basis, Christ character trait becomes part of our life and becomes the way of our living. The scripture says, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom… and whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Col.3:16-17). This is where studying the word of God becomes very relevant and required in all believers’ efforts to live Christ-like life. The more of His words that we know, the easier it becomes for us to imitate Him. Brethren, living Christ-like life is a lifetime work. It is a process and not a one-time event. It is an ongoing work that will finish only when we stand face to face before our Lord Jesus Christ when He comes again the second time to take us to Himself. May the grace to continue with the work be sufficient for us in Jesus glorious name. Evangelism Please share and discuss the piece with an unbeliever today for the purpose of saving a soul. God bless you as you do so now. Rev. Shobayo Kayode (The Gospel Study Centre)
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