What Christian doesn’t want to be more Christ-like? That’s the goal, right? The aim is definitely to become more like Jesus. Recently, I happened upon one of “those” scriptures that really resonated with me. It gave me pause. It spoke to becoming more like Jesus. I couldn’t move past it. You know what I mean, a scripture that just stops you…arrests you and won’t let you go. You try to continue reading, but you just can’t. You’re frozen in that moment, staring at the same words on the white page until they become blurry. Some call that a “Rhema” moment.
Table of Contents – Becoming more like Jesus
It prompted me to say to myself…”Teri, God’s Best “PR” Agent…YOU!”
I enjoy reading about King David because I can relate to his life.
As you know, he had an affair with a married woman (I don’t relate to that part), got her pregnant, and put a contract out on her husband to have him killed. Nathan, the prophet, declared David’s punishment would be an end to the baby’s life.
I’d read that part before, so I wasn’t terribly moved. What I read next floored me.
In 2 Samuel 12:14 (NASV), it says the child died because David had “given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme”.
I couldn’t move on.
My journey becoming more like Jesus.
Like you, I strive to live a life of holiness. Also, like you, I often miss the mark and fall short (i.e., mess up).
When it happens, I try not to beat myself up and condemn myself.
Instead, I ask for forgiveness and help from the Holy Spirit and try to change my actions. Then, I move forward. This formula is so important to me. It’s basically repentance. If becoming more like Jesus is my goal, I need to be comfortable humbling myself to the point of repentance.
The Bible defines repentance as a deep change of mind and heart, which involves turning away from sin and turning towards God. Repentance is a significant theme in both the Old and New Testaments. It urges people to admit their wrongdoings, feel true regret, and actively transform their behavior.
A Bible verse about repentance
One important passage about repentance can be found in the New Testament, specifically in the Gospel of Mark. Jesus starts His ministry by saying, “The time has come. The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15, NIV).
In this statement, repentance is connected to changing our focus towards God’s kingdom and having faith in the life-changing message of the Gospel.
Additionally, the Bible often associates repentance with confession of sins, seeking God’s forgiveness, and a commitment to a life aligned with God’s principles.
The Old Testament frequently uses the term “turn from” or “turn back” in the context of repentance, emphasizing the idea of turning away from sinful ways and returning to God.
Repentance is very important. If I don’t truly repent and let go, I feel restricted. It affects my ability to worship and can make daily life feel like a heavy burden.
If we don’t repent…
As you know, sin separates me [and you] from close fellowship with the Father. It leaves the Holy Spirit prodding my spirit time and time again.
My peace diminishes, and I even become anxious.
When I was a “baby Christian” in my early twenties, I would drink alcohol for the purpose of dulling my senses and feeling a “high buzz.” I knew it wasn’t God’s will for me to use alcohol in this way – especially as a proclaiming Christian or Christ-follower.It’s all about Jesus in the end, Christian Woman.
God got NO glory from me being in clubs with my girlfriends. Those places don’t feed your spirit; worse, they position you for situations that can lead you into even worse situations. A part of me knew all this and tried to silence that still, small voice convicting me of it.
We’ve got to represent Him well!
This scripture reminds me that I wasn’t the best representative.
Until I read this scripture, I never considered how my “missing the mark” back then impacted God’s ministry to the world.
For instance, I clearly understood how my sin hurt me, and sometimes I understood how it hurts others, but I didn’t think about Him or His image in this world.
It never dawned on me that when I “camp out” in those things that are not “expedient,” I give the enemies of the Lord the opportunity to say things like:
“See, there’s nothing to Christianity. I knew it!”
“See how she acts! She’s just like us! There is no power in being a Christian.”
“She’s drunk now and then will try to talk about Jesus tomorrow.”
Look. No one knows better than me that we are not perfect.
However, a person who studies their Bible knows we are to strive for perfection. We are to try for it. That’s the mark we aim to reach.
We don’t settle for average, just going through the motions and not growing as Christians.
Even babies know that some actions that satisfy our earthly desires do not please God and do not bring Him glory. We all face challenges, but some people choose to give up and stop striving. This leads to living chaotic and undisciplined lives, giving others the impression that God is powerless, weak, and unconcerned about our way of life.
Back to “US” again and becoming more like Jesus.
You know, there are a lot of things we cannot change about our sin condition, but there are a few areas we can work harder to conform to the image of Christ.
I am a living testimony of God’s regenerative power in a “raggedy” life. He’s delivered me from countless areas of bondage and sin.
I have a long way to go, but I am committed to the process. The many times I mess up, I can see God dealing with me, struggling with me, reprimanding me, disciplining me.
I can’t live in the sin any longer. I want to change, work to change, and allow grace to change me.
So, I often have to say, “I’m sorry,” and confess my sins to my Father for fresh mercy and strength.
I want to live to bring glory, praise, and people to Him. I never want to bring shame to His name. Do you feel that way?
God’s Best “PR” Agent- Represent Him Well
When we continually live lives of confession, humility, and holiness, we attract attention to God’s grace and forgiveness. Likewise, as we are set free, we demonstrate His ability to change lives. People see up close and personal: “I know God is real because I see what he’s doing in her life.”
Isn’t that amazing? It gives people a chance to say things like:
“Wow, a single person really can live abstinent for God’s glory.”
“I have never heard her say a curse word. What’s that about?”
“She never gossips like other people. Hmmmm. Instead, she’s nice and re-directs the conversation. She’s the real deal.”
“I don’t get it; I would have told that man off. Instead, she showed love. It must be something to this Christian thing”.
So many folks don’t know there is “another” way to live life. They’ve never seen it. They don’t know what allowing God to be not only Savior but Lord really looks like in a normal person. Show them.
I pray my lifestyle doesn’t “give occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme His name.” Instead, I hope they want to know Him as a result of seeing Him active in my life.
Yup. God’s Best “PR” Agent….all day.
How are you becoming more like Jesus in your day-to-day life? Share below!
