There are a variety of shows
currently on television that have to do with people and houses
being made over. While some of this involves just a slight change
the shows that attract viewer attention are the ones where major
changes occur. Oprah has guests who have their hairstyle changed
and given new clothes. Other shows share how people have lost
lots of weight. The more extreme shows involving individuals
are ones where plastic surgery and other procedures are used
to give someone a whole new appearance and supposedly a whole
new lifestyle that goes with it.
The other series involving change has to do with remodeling
houses. In some instances the owners are involved. In others,
the owners are to be completely surprised by a team of experts
who come in for a few hours and do their magic. Of course, the
surprised homeowner returns and raves about how much they like
the changes. Just once I would like to see someone return and
say they can't stand the changes and like the old way much
better.
In John 3:3 Jesus tells Nicodemus that no one can understand
or receive the Kingdom of God without first being made over by
the power of God's love working through God's Holy
Spirit. We call this process sanctification. This process of
being made over begins with a change of mind. This is the meaning
of repentance.
We change our mind as to how we think about things, namely
God and our relationship with God. Paul writes in Romans 12:2, "Do
not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing
of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God — what
is good, and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:9-21 lists
the characteristics of those who are living the new life in Christ.
Some other passages that also describe this type of person include
the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:1-12, the fruit of the Spirit in
Galatians 5:22-23, love in I Corinthians 13 and other primary
characteristics listed in 2 Peter 1:5-8. These and other passages
like them are written to help us know what being a Christian
or being like Christ involves.
The word, disciple, means to be one who follows another's
way of doing things. A disciple seeks to understand how another
person lives and functions so that they can imitate that behavior
and understanding in order to make it their own. As disciples
of Jesus we want to know what He knows so that we can live our
lives following His example.
A major question occurs at this point. DO WE REALLY WANT TO
BE LIKE CHRIST? Why would we? Why wouldn't we? If we say
we want to be like Jesus we are saying that His truth and understanding
of life makes sense to us. We may also be acknowledging that
this is what the Bible says we are to do. On the other hand,
there seems to be a price to pay. We may like ourselves pretty
much the way we are and really don't want to be bothered
with the new disciplines that will be required. The unknown can
sometimes seem more difficult than the known even when it is
full of difficulties and disappointments. The unknown that comes
with a major change is not always that attractive when what we
already have seems so attractive and satisfying.
We need to weigh the cost and ask ourselves what will be required
of us. This involves in this case at least three things.
First, we have to know what's in the instruction manual
that describes this new life. In order to do this we have to
read and study the Bible. This one thing keeps many people from
having the new life simply because they do not know what it is
to be like nor do they understand how one goes about receiving
it. If we are truly disciples and want to become like the Teacher
we have to read and study and put to use the teachings of the
Master Teacher.
Secondly, we have to talk with the Boss. In this instance the
conversation is called prayer. We need to be able to share our
questions, concerns, needs, suggestions, joys and the like. Years
ago in Pittsburgh, Penn., a survey was done which revealed the
highest ranking executives of major international companies located
in Pittsburgh were among the most lonely and isolated people
in the community. Many people avoided them because they were
afraid of them or felt totally unworthy to be in their presence.
We sometimes treat God this way. How can someone who has everything
have any need of us? Yet, two weeks ago we discussed the idea
that we are created for God's pleasure and that pleasure
is primarily experienced in intimate and vulnerable relationship.
We cannot do this if we are afraid of God. Relationship also
requires time. If we want to know about God so that we can live
more Christ-like lives, we have to take time to be in each other's
presence. Again this is a choice and requires us to determine
what our priorities are.
Finally, if we are to become like Christ, it will take practice.
A few years ago when basketball superstar Michael Jordan was
in his prime, the Nike Company introduced the slogan, "Be
like Mike." Many young people attempted to imitate him.
We have had similar responses to Elvis and Tiger Woods. What
many would-be imitators did not realize was that you cannot be
like someone simply by putting on a similar costume. What is
required is practice, practice, practice. It is true that these
individuals I have named and others like them have certain natural
gifts. However, they did not reach their level of ability without
constant practice. Think of the hours Jordan spent shooting basketballs
or how many golf swings Tiger Woods takes in practice so his
shots in tournaments look so easy.
If we want to be like Christ we need to practice. We have to
discipline ourselves and accept the fact we cannot do this on
our own as a matter of self will.
First we have to ask for God's help and invite the Holy
Spirit to be in our life. We need this Divine Companion to help
us understand who God is and what God wants. We need the Holy
Spirit's help to comfort us when we fail, to encourage
us when we become discouraged, to guide us when we are lost.
Without the Holy Spirit's help we cannot hope to become
like Christ.
Secondly, we need a community to also help teach, encourage,
guide, support and nurture us. It is not enough to just be a
member. We need to belong to a support group whose members are
also trying to live a life of faith. We cannot do this alone.
Life can sometimes be extremely difficult. Often just knowing
one other person cares about us can make the difference between
failure or success.
In conclusion, if we wish to make being like Christ the priority
of our life we have to invite Jesus into our life. We have to
offer our life to Him. With God's help we have to be willing
to give up the old way of living in order to allow a new life
to take hold of us. This begins with changing how we think so
that we attempt to think like Christ. Jesus has just one guideline.
He always asks, "What does the Father want in this situation
for the other person and for myself?"
If we are to become like Christ we must learn to ask this question, "What
does God want?" And then ask our self, "Do I want
the same thing?"
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