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Bible passage:
Colossians 3:1-14
Romans 8:28-39
'Ten Years Younger', and programmes like it, focus on extreme makeovers for people: usually involving radical weight loss, cosmetic surgery/dentistry, hair extensions, clothes changes and make-up transformations.
The Bible speaks of a far more deep and eternal transformation that God has in mind for us: to become like Christ. To make you like His Son, Jesus.
(Read Romans 8: 28-30). There are many big theological concepts in these verses, but at the heart of them is God's desire that all of us become like Jesus.
'Becoming like Christ does not mean losing your personality or becoming a mindless clone. God created your uniqueness, so he certainly doesn't want to destroy it. Christlikeness is all about transforming your character, not your personality.'
How does that prospect impact you? Does it thrill you, frighten you, or maybe not make much impression on you at all? Perhaps, deep down, you don't think your inner person needs changed? How desperate are you for this transformation?
God wants you to develop the kind of character described in the beatitudes of Jesus; the fruit of the Spirit; Paul's great chapter on love. How much do you want that character?
Warren writes: 'Your character is essentially the sum of your habits; it is how you habitually act.'
What do your actions say about the quality of your character? Do you alter your actions, depending on the company you are in at the time? What does this say about your character?
Are you a different character at church from home and work?
The good news is that it is the Holy Spirit's job to produce Christlike character in you. (2 Corinthians 3:18). This process is called 'sanctification', and is the third purpose of your life here on earth, and will fill our thoughts for the next few studies.
(Read Romans 8: 31-39) Notice how the backdrop for this great work of God in us, is the unending, unbeatable love of God for us, in Jesus. How do these verses encourage you at this moment?
The flip side, is that for this to happen requires our cooperation with the Holy Spirit's work in our lives. Otherwise, the Spirit will not do this work in us.
We must cooperate with the Holy Spirit's work
The Holy Spirit releases His power the moment you take a step of faith: obedience unlocks God's power. God waits for you to act first.
'Don't wait to feel powerful or confident. Move ahead in your weakness, doing the right thing in spite of your fears and failings. This is how you cooperate with the Holy Spirit - and it is how your character develops.'
Whilst our efforts have nothing to do with our salvation - it is all based on what Christ has done for us - when it comes to our sanctification, our efforts are essential. You don't just sit around and wait to become like Jesus.
(Read Colossians 3: 1-14) We learn that there are 3 responsibilities
that are ours in becoming like Jesus:
(1) Change the way we think (v1-3): when we allow God to direct our thoughts, we are changed from the inside out. Why is the thought life more important than focussing on outward acts?
(2) Choose to let go of old ways of acting (v4-11): we are set free in Christ, from the stranglehold of negative/destructive lifestyles. You are not a victim, you have the Victor in you.
(3) Put on the character of Christ (v12-14) by developing new, godly habits.
You don't wait until you feel you have sorted these areas of your life before you show these graces in your life; with Christ's help you start living them out now.
Warren identifies three basic ways in which God enables us to become more like Jesus:
*Through God's word of truth at work in us
*Through the support and interaction of our lives with other people.
*Through facing different circumstances: good and bad, in our lives, relying on God through them.
All this takes a long, slow process in our lives - it will not be completed here on earth. But remember, God is more interested in what you ARE, than in what you DO. We are human BEINGS, not human DOINGS. God is more interested in your CHARACTER, than in your CAREER.
Never forget: life is not about you. You exist for God's purpose, not vice versa. God's great plan for you is to make you like Jesus.
In what area of my life do I need the Spirit's help to help me to be more like Jesus today?
A year from now, how would you like to be more Christlike?
What can you do now to move to that goal?
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