How do we Become like Jesus?

[Marathoner]

It's simple, my friend. 2 Corinthians 3:18 explains how:

But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. (NASB)

We are being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord, @Vine Abider. It srikes us as simple, perhaps, but there is more here than we express with words alone. Here's my further understanding, then:

As I have witnessed time and again, it is through much tribulation that we enter the kingdom of God. Indeed, there is glory at the conclusion of trial and suffering, but this is not apparent to us while we suffer. I draw upon myself as an example; how was I to know what awaited at the conclusion of that horrible illness which ravaged this body? 

I was a dead man, and recently medical evidence was provided (CT scans) which tells the tale of that journey to the grave. This body bears scars which testifies of how close I was to death, but then I didn't know the will and purpose of the Lord. I was blind and couldn't see! We are only men and women after all.

But He raised me up in the sight of many to the glory of God, returning me to the woman who became the mother I never had. The work of Christ in us, then, is that glory which His apostle testifies of. From glory to glory, then, we are conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. This is the work of the Spirit of God, not our own doing.

I hope that answers the question posed by the OP. 

[other one]

1 hour ago, Vine Abider said:

If we are presuming that becoming like Christ is an "ultimate issue" for Christians, should we first show some verses which demonstrates that is God's will for us?

For me personally it was automatic. Part of the developing relationship.

[Wayne222]

To become like Christ is mostly by following him in my view. We cannot do anything without Jesus. He tells us to follow him. And in following Jesus we need very badly to abide in him. If you do what I say you will abide in me Jesus said. Love one another as I loved you. Jesus abided in God the Father and kept his words. God the Father sent him to love us and save us. We are called to follow him likewise. When we do we become more like him. He will make his home in us by the holy spirit as we abide moment by moment. And he will never leave us behind. 

[AdHoc]

14 hours ago, Marilyn C said:

So, I see that it is very important to know the truth of Christ, His character and His purposes, so that we clearly understand what He has promised us. These truths enable us, through humility in God` Spirit, to partake of Christ`s divine nature. 

This is what will bring the individual and the corporate Body of Christ, (the new MAN) to completion.

I think that you've touched the single most important point. That was what the Tree of Life was about.

In a number of places where I was invited to speak, I told the story of jogging in Central Park, NY, on my many visits there (business). I observe that the owners of dogs let them off their leashes (New Yorkers are very freedom orientated). The dog would first urinate on a tree or lamp post, or defecate on the grass. He would then see other dogs and bark loudly. Then there would either be a fight, or depending upon the gender and time of the year, they would copulate. Once their owners got them apart, the dog, in the shortest space of time, would find a squirrel to chase up a tree. I even saw a dog eating somebody's picnic while they they had a round of softball.

Now, all these things are illegal for humans. So why does the dog do them? Because he is dog with a dog-nature. In a man is the Adamic nature - which leads him to do the dog things - but not in the open. The Christian has two natures. God dwells in his spirit and dispenses His life and nature, making demands according to it. But the Adamic nature lurks in the Christian's flesh (Romans Chapter 7, Galatians 5:17). And Galatians 5:17 says that the Adamic nature prevails. Romans 7 says there is a LAW in the flesh - like gravity. Gravity always works. It is relentless. But Christ's nature also now dwells in us. And He was a Man (though He did not have Adam's nature) Who conquered all temptations. So a second law was established - the Law of Life in Christ Jesus. It is like the Law of aerodynamics. If you meet the requirements of the Law of lift, you overcome the law of gravity. the minute you do not fulfill the law of Life of Christ, you plummet under the ever-present Law of sin and death.

God gave us a type of this conflict - the Amelekites. God declared this war "from generation to generation". It never ends. The modern Christian today is taught a list of laws to replace Moses' Law. Thou shalt not wear lipstick. Thou shalt tithe. Thou shalt not smoke tobacco, but you may wear stiletto heals. Your dress is too short and the man's hair is too long. These laws will not mature a Christian. The Christian mus be taught to seek inside of himself for that still, small voice. "The spirit of the prophet is subject to the prophet" - God never interferes with your free will. But He is your constant companion. It is He that will tell you how much of your income to give. He will tell you when to defend the gospel and when to shake the dust of that city off your feet and move on. It is He that will lead you and command you AND energize you to do His will.

And if His nature dwells in you richly, and you feed it regularly with His Word, you will, more and more, exhibit Christ.

[kwikphilly]

RELATIONSHIP...

How does anyone nurture a relationship,how does ones relationships strengthen,bond,grow.....

Communication,at the time of our Indwelling we are IN Christ,He Abides in us..... If we ignore Him & do not communicate our " Relationship " is pretty much dormant- The Word of God is God's Living Word - this is our Daily Bread,Jesus the Living Waters.... Feed our Spirit,spend time with our Living Redeemer and we access His Heart & His Mind..in Christ we are IN Relationship with Almighty God......

By the Power of Holy Spirit we are Transformed into the Image of Christ - we are His Living Testimony,in Spirit & in Truth ❤️

With love in Christ, Kwik

 

[Mr. M]

13 hours ago, Marathoner said:

But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. (NASB)

Romans 12:

1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present

your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 

2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,

that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

More detailed instructions here:

1 Corinthians 6:

14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship

hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?

15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?

16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God;

as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God,

and they shall be my people.

17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord,

and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

Which is why all scripture is profitable. How are we to understand "unclean" without the Torah?

[Vine Abider]

13 hours ago, Marathoner said:

It's simple, my friend. 2 Corinthians 3:18 explains how:

But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. (NASB)

We are being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord, @Vine Abider. It srikes us as simple, perhaps, but there is more here than we express with words alone. Here's my further understanding, then:

As I have witnessed time and again, it is through much tribulation that we enter the kingdom of God. Indeed, there is glory at the conclusion of trial and suffering, but this is not apparent to us while we suffer. I draw upon myself as an example; how was I to know what awaited at the conclusion of that horrible illness which ravaged this body? 

I was a dead man, and recently medical evidence was provided (CT scans) which tells the tale of that journey to the grave. This body bears scars which testifies of how close I was to death, but then I didn't know the will and purpose of the Lord. I was blind and couldn't see! We are only men and women after all.

But He raised me up in the sight of many to the glory of God, returning me to the woman who became the mother I never had. The work of Christ in us, then, is that glory which His apostle testifies of. From glory to glory, then, we are conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. This is the work of the Spirit of God, not our own doing.

I hope that answers the question posed by the OP. 

Ding Ding Ding  WINNER!! WINNER!!  CHICKEN DINNER! 

That verse shows it all so clearly.  Being transformed into His image, by the Lord Spirit.

Edited December 31, 2022 by Vine Abider
For better clarity

[Vine Abider]

21 minutes ago, kwikphilly said:

RELATIONSHIP...

How does anyone nurture a relationship,how does ones relationships strengthen,bond,grow.....

Communication,at the time of our Indwelling we are IN Christ,He Abides in us..... If we ignore Him & do not communicate our " Relationship " is pretty much dormant- The Word of God is God's Living Word - this is our Daily Bread,Jesus the Living Waters.... Feed our Spirit,spend time with our Living Redeemer and we access His Heart & His Mind..in Christ we are IN Relationship with Almighty God......

By the Power of Holy Spirit we are Transformed into the Image of Christ - we are His Living Testimony,in Spirit & in Truth ❤️

With love in Christ, Kwik

 

ding Ding ding   ANOTHER WINNER!!!

[Mr. M]

14 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

If we are presuming that becoming like Christ is an "ultimate issue" for Christians, should we first show some verses which demonstrates that is God's will for us?

Romans 8:

27 Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because

He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God,

to those who are the called according to His purpose. 

29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, 

that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 

30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified;

and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

2 Peter 1:

2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness,

through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be

partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

[Vine Abider]

15 hours ago, Marilyn C said:

by which have been given to us, exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. ` (2 Peter 1: 2 - 4)

So, I see that it is very important to know the truth of Christ, His character and His purposes, so that we clearly understand what He has promised us. These truths enable us, through humility in God` Spirit, to partake of Christ`s divine nature. 

 

 

 

Partakers of the divine nature - a key to this.