How do we Become like Jesus?

[Vine Abider]

7 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

Romans 8:

28 the called according to His purpose. 29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, 

 

Yes!  Yet another winner!!!

Edited December 31, 2022 by Vine Abider
Clarity

[kwikphilly]

14 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

Partakers of the divine nature - a key to this.

Ding Ding Ding - Winner Winner!😃👍lol

[Mr. M]

45 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

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

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

2 Co 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory

of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory,

just as by the Spirit of the Lord.

Doesn't exactly say how, but certainly by whom! 

Thank You Holy Spirit!

This does raise another interesting question though. 

What does it mean to behold  the glory of the Lord?

Do we look to the Cross, or to the throne? Or Both!

I vote for both, as we take up our cross and die daily,

and we also come boldly before the throne of grace.

Edited December 31, 2022 by Mr. M
grammar

[Mr. M]

2 minutes ago, Mr. M said:

Do we look to the Cross, or to the throne? Or Both!

I vote for both, as we take up our cross and die daily,

as we also come boldly before the throne of grace.

2 Corinthians 4:

10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,

that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake,

that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

[kwikphilly]

This is a beautiful thread- I love all the replies,lovely

Praise Jesus!

[Vine Abider]

I texted and asked a couple brothers I fellowship with locally the question of how we become like Jesus.  Here was one's reply:

Basically, let Him live, He is our Life, Gal 2:20 and Col 3:2-4 - “I have been crucified with Christ: and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."  "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Then the other brother quoted these verses in 2 Corinithians 3:17-18, which other's here cited and which really sums it up well: "Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

It is so refreshing and wonderful to be surrounded by saints (in person and electronically) who see this (and can help keep me on track)!   

To sum, God's intention for us is to be conformed to the glorious image of His son, that we would be the many brought into glory and a perfect, loving relationship with Him!  And this is only done by the indwelling Spirit of the Lord, who is joined to our spirit. (1 Cor. 6:17)

Let's not be deceived, becoming like Christ is NOT the result of trying to be good or trying to follow the written word (not meaning that we shouldn't do this), but is the result and outcome of turning to Him and letting His Spirit operate in us (Phil 2:13).  As Jesus said in John 15:5, "Apart from Me you can do nothing."  Everything good is an outflow of this relationship - "Christ in you, the hope of glory!" (Col 1:27)  

                              Praise Him - He's Got This!

 

Edited December 31, 2022 by Vine Abider
Clarity

[farouk]

9 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

I texted and asked a couple brothers I fellowship with locally the question of how we become like Jesus.  Here was one's reply:

Basically, let Him live, He is our Life, Gal 2:20 and Col 3:2-4 - “I have been crucified with Christ: and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me, and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."  "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory."

Then the other brother quoted these verses in 2 Corinithians 3:17-18, which other's here cited and which really sums it up well: "Nevertheless when one turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord."

It is so refreshing and wonderful to be surrounded by saints (in person and electronically) who see this (and can help keep me on track)!   

To sum, God's intention for us is to be conformed to the glorious image of His son, that we would be the many brought into glory and a perfect, loving relationship with Him!  And this is only done by the indwelling Spirit of the Lord, who is joined to our spirit. (1 Cor. 6:17)

Let's not be deceived, becoming like Christ is NOT the result of trying to be good or trying to follow the written word (not meaning that we shouldn't do this), but is the result and outcome of turning to Him and letting His Spirit operate in us (Phil 2:13).  As Jesus said in John 15:5, "Apart from Me you can do nothing."  Everything good is an outflow of this relationship - "Christ in you, the hope of glory!" (Col 1:27)  

                              Praise Him - He's Got This!

 

@Vine Abider The Hebrews 12.2 passage is also relevant, to keep 'looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith'...

[farouk]

I think Helen Lemmel's words are also relevant, when the Person and Work of Christ become part of our daily focus:

"...the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace."

[enoob57]

I don't know if I can get this across just right ... but here goes:
As I think- it is always in a comparative of God and what He has written down for us... As I realized this gift of God by the power of The Holy Spirit, this- what if I did not have His written Word! This gave me such a pause because that would leave me with knowing that He 'IS' 

Romans 1:20 (KJV)
[20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

yet without the means to really know Him... I then understood the why of this verse
Job 23:12 (KJV)
[12] Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food.
I can eat of the worlds goods and die... I can eat of God's Word and live... The more I keep what He has written in living format within my doing, the more I am nearer to Him in relationship...

It's like the sign in the mall You are here ->:
Jeremiah 23:35 (KJV)
[35] Thus shall ye say every one to his neighbour, and every one to his brother, What hath the LORD answered? and, What hath the LORD spoken?
[36] And the burden of the LORD shall ye mention no more: for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.

They perish because of lack of knowledge, by choice, nevertheless perish for they had no faith:
Romans 10:6 (KJV)

[6] But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above

[7] Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

[8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

[9] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

[10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

[11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

[12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

[13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

[14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

[15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

[16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

[17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The written Word of God is the work of The Holy Spirit... to transform us into the likeness of Jesus...

[Vine Abider]

21 minutes ago, farouk said:

I think Helen Lemmel's words are also relevant, when the Person and Work of Christ become part of our daily focus:

"...the things of earth will grow strangely dim

In the light of His glory and grace."

Have quoted the line in that song a few times!