Welcome To Becoming Christ Like!
There is no such thing as instant maturity in becoming " Christ like" Christians . You have taken your first step toward becoming a Christian by walking down the aisle of the church ( which is the body of Christ ), and giving your hand to the pastor , and Jesus Christ your heart. You have now begun a life long journey of becoming a Christian.
The first step is to get to know Christ. In order to do this one must read the Bible ( each day ) , and attend a place of worship in order to listen to the word of God that is being preached by an preacher annointed by God.
Ephesians 1:4 -6 Rainbow Study Bible New International Version
(4) For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love, (5) he predestined us to be adopted in his sons though Jesus Christ , in accordance with his pleasure and will ... (6) to the praise of his glorious grace , which he freely gives to us in the one he loves.
Ephesians 1:11 NIV
(11) In him we were chosen , having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.
Ephesians 1:10 NIV
(10) For we are God's workmanship , created in Christ Jesus to do good works , which God has prepared in advance for us to do.
Once you begin to know him, you will learn to love him more. The Bible tells us about God's laws on love
Exodus 20 : 5,6 NIV
(5) You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God am a Jealous God, punishing the children of the third and forth generation of those who hate me.
(6) but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
Deuteronomy 6:5 NIV
(5) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.
John 15:18,19 NIV
(18) If the world hates you .Keep in mind that it hated me first. (19) If you belonged to the world , it would love you as its own. As it is you do not belong to the world , but I have chosen you out of the world . Thats why the world hates you.
John 13 :34,35 NIV
(34 ) A new command I give to you: Love one another . As I have loved you so must you love one another. (35) By this all men will know that you are my disciples , if you love one another.
In the future you can expect to know that there are three aspects of salvation Christ
- I have been saved from the penalty of sin. * Justification , I am now in Christ.
- I am being saved from the power of sin . * Sanctification ; I am becoming Christ like
I will be saved from the presence of sin. * Glorification ; I expect to become like Christ.
embrace your journey with gratitude and thanksgiving. Be thankful for all that God is doing in you . When conflicts arise in your life be encouraged because they indicate that Gog is still working in you, and changing you to become Christ like
Points to reflect on :
- Your faith in Jesus christ marks the beginning of christian gorwth.
- Spiritual growth i like physical growth , takes time. As God works in your life recognize that God is binging into fullment the work he began in you.
- To grow in Christ is like walking. as we are led by the Spirit , we are to walk by faith , and in love and in fellowship with Christ.
- God intends Christians to mature and become like Jesus Christ. Christians have been saved from the penalty of sin. Even though they are saved they remain engeged in a conflict with sin, but if they remain in Christ they can anticipate a sinless future throughout eternity.
- A mature Christian continues to follow Christ, abounding in his work and experiencing his grace and love. God does not forget the work of believer's and will one day reward them.
Jesus Christ is Lord of Lords has always existed and always will be. Christ should hold the same place in our hearts that he holds in the universe.
