CHRISTLIKENESSChristlikeness is character. Christlikeness is being like the Lord Jesus Christ. In 2 Corinthians 3:18, Paul said, “and we who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” Fruit of the Holy Spirit First, I am “being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory.” “Ever-increasing glory” means it is a process. The transformation does not take place all at once.
Practical discipleship tips on being transformed Second, the transformation comes with help from “the Lord, who is the Spirit.” The Holy Spirit is able to help me because He lives in me (1 Corinthians 3:16). Third, the Holy Spirit lives in me and He wants to bear fruit in my life. Galatians 5:22,23 tells me what kind of fruit. There are nine fruits of the Holy Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22,23. In his book, “The Holy Spirit: Activating God's Power in Your Life,” Billy Graham suggests that these nine fruits can be divided into three clusters. The first cluster consists of love, joy, and peace. These fruits address my relationship with God.
The second cluster consists of patience, kindness, and goodness. These fruits address my relationships with other people.
The third cluster consists of faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These fruits address the attitudes and actions inside myself.
Faithfulness
As I grow in Christlikeness, these character qualities should show up in my life.
Other Christlike Character QualitiesHumilityPhilippians 2:5 tells me that my “attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Paul specifies the attitude he means. He says that Jesus, “who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped.” Instead, Jesus “humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross.” I should humble myself just as the Lord Jesus Christ humbled Himself. Humility is freedom from selfish interest, looking instead to the plan of God. I need to adopt the character quality of humility.
Excellence When people saw the miracles Jesus did they were amazed. In Mark 7:37, the author writes “People were overwhelmed with amazement. 'He has done everything well,' they said, 'He even makes the deaf hear and the mute speak.'” Jesus did good work. He did real good work! His work was so good people were amazed. I want to do good work. I would like my work to stand out so that people will see it and give glory to God (Matthew 5:16). That will happen if my work is excellent and people know the work was done to glorify God. I need to adopt the character quality of excellence. Servanthood In Matthew 20, the disciples were fighting over which of them would be greatest in Jesus' kingdom. Jesus told them in verse 26, “. . . whoever wants to be great among you must be your servant.” The Lord Jesus Christ's mission on earth was to serve. Matthew 20:28 says, “Just as the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus was a servant. Jesus wants me to be a servant. I need to adopt the character quality of a servanthood. Christlikeness is being like the Lord Jesus Christ. Christlikeness is character.
Practical discipleship tips on servanthood
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Posted on June 29, 2008
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