Why be more like Jesus?

Why do I need to be more like Jesus?

Do you call yourself a Christian? What does it mean to be a Christian?
Christians are Disciples and Followers of Christ.

Disciple: One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another.

Follower:
1. One who subscribes to the teachings or methods of another; an adherent
2. One that imitates or copies another

Also, I think this has the most impact on my life:
John 14:15
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments."

Becoming more like Christ is also already done...in a sense:
Romans 8:29
"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers."

God has chosen us...to be conformed to the image of his Son...Jesus Christ! Conformed is in the past tense.
What this means is that it is not our job to make sure that we become more Christ like. That is the job of the Holy Spirit working within us.
Our job is to allow the Holy Spirit to work within us! To get our fleshly desires out of the way so that the Spirit can do His work.
Romans 12:2
"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
1 Peter 1:14-16
"As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I am holy.'"
But the catch is...we don't have the power to do that! Only Christ does!
Colossians 1:27
"To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory."
So Christ living within us, gives us the power to say no to our fleshly desires and yes to the Holy Spirit working within us!

In the end, God does all the work! Without God we could do nothing!
Philippians 4:13
"I can do all things through him [Christ] who strengthens me."

So, why be more like Jesus?
1. If you call yourself a Christian...it's all in the name...you are a follower of Christ!
2. Do you love Him? Keep His Commands!
3. If you have the Holy Spirit...you are already conformed into the Image of Christ, we need to (through Christ's strength) allow the Spirit to control us rather than our fleshly desires!

Now for the tough part...How can I be more like Christ?
Application of why to how do I do this in my life is always the toughest part.
We will get to that in the next post.

In Christ,

David