Purpose 3: You were Created to Become Like Christ

Day22 - Created to become like Christ

We look at this Son and see God’s original purpose in everything created.(Colossians1:15)

You were created to become like Christ.

From the very beginning, God’s plan has been to make you like his Son, Jesus. This is your destiny and the third purpose of your life.

God announced this intention at Creation “Then God Said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image and likness.’”(Genesis1:26)

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, and Peter’s list of the characteristics of an effective and productive life

God’s ultimate goal for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development.

It is the Holy Spirit’s job to produce Christlike character in you.

Only the Holy Spirit has the power to make the changes God wants to make in our lives.

“God is working in you, giving you the desire to obey him and the power to do what pleases him”(Philippians3:13)

While effort has nothing to do with your salvation, it has much to do with your spiritual growth.  At least eight times in the New Testament we are told to “make every effort” in our growth toward becoming like Jesus.

We must “put on”(Ephesians4:24) the character of Christ by developing new, godly habits.

Your character is essentially the sum of your habits, it is how you habitually act.

God is far more interested in what you are than in what you do.

We are human beings, not human doings.

God is much more concerned about your character than your career, because you will take your character into eternity, but not your career.

God, Father wants to make us like Himself before He takes us to heaven.

Day23 - How we grow

God wants you to grow up.

Your heavenly Father’s goal is for you to mature and develop the characteristics of Jesus Christ.

Sadly, Millions of Christians grow older but never grow up.

God’s part and your part

Christlikeness is the result of making Christlike choices and depending on his Spirit to help you fulfill those choices.

“Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his purpose”(Philippians2:12-13)

Two parts of spiritual growth: “work out” is your responsibility  and “work in” is God’s Role.

Spiritual growth is a collaborative effort between you and the Holy Spirit.

We are commended to “think the same way that Christ Jesus thought.”

Two parts to doing this, the first half is to stop thinking immature thoughts which are self-centered and self-seeking, the second half is to start thinking maturely, which focuses on other, not yourself. 

The way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel influences the way you act.

The Christian life includes conduct and character.

Our deeds must be consistent with our creeds, and our beliefs must be backed up with Christlike behavior.

Day24 - Transformed by Truth

Spiritual growth is the process of replacing lies with truth.

Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”(John17:17)

There are enormous benefits to memorizing Bible verses. It will help you resist temptation, make wise decisions, reduce stress, build confidence, offer good advice, and share your faith with others.

If you know how to worry, you already know how to meditate.

Worry is focused thinking on something negative.

Meditation is doing the same thing, only focusing on God’s Word instead of your problem.

Verse to Remember: “if you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”(John8:31-32)

Day25 - Transformed by Trouble

God has a purpose behind every problem.

He uses circumstances to develop our character.

Romans8:28-29

“for the good”: God specializes in bringing good out of it. In the official family tree of Jesus Christ, four women are listed: Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, and Bathsheba.

God brought good out of bad, and Jesus came through their lineage.

God’s purpose is greater than our problems, our pain, and even our sin.

“according to his purpose”: It is that we “become like his Son.”

Every problem is a character building opportunity, and the more difficult it is, the greater the potential for building spiritual muscle and moral fiber.

Paul said, ‘We know that these troubles produce patience. And Patience produces character.”(Romans5:3-4)

Your circumstances are temporary, but your character will last forever.

When you have been refined by trials, people can see Jesus’ reflection in you.

James said, “Under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors”(James1:3)

Problems don’t automatically produce what God intends. Many people become bitter, rather than better, and never grow up. You have to respond the way Jesus would.

Joseph understood this truth when he told his brothers who had sold him into slavery, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good”(Genesis50:20)

Whenever God says no to your request for relief, remember, “God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best”(Hebrew12:10)

It is vital that you stay focused on God’s plan, not your pain or problem. That is how Jesus endured the pain of the cross, and we are urged to follow his example: “Keep your eyes on Jesus, our leader and instructor. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterwards”(Hebrews12:2)

Corrie ten Boom who suffered in a Nazi death camp explained “If you look at the world, you’ll be distressed. If you look within, you’ll be depressed. But if you look at Christ, you’ll be at rest”

Your focus will determine your feelings. The secret of endurance is to remember that your pain is temporary but your reward will be eternal.

Paul said, “Our present troubles are quite small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us an immeasurably great glory that will last forever!”(2Corinthians4:17)

Don’t give in to short-term thinking. Stay focused on the end result: “If we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later”(Romans8:17-18)

God wants you to thank him that he will use your problems to fulfill his purposes.

Jesus said, “Be full of joy at that time, because you have a great reward waiting for you in heaven”(Luke6:23)

Instead, he enters into our suffering. Jesus did it in the Incarnation, and his Spirit does it in us now. God will never leave us on our own.

If you are facing trouble right now, don’t ask, “Why me?”

Instead ask “What do you want me to learn?” Then trust God and keep on doing what is right. “You need to stick it out, staying with God’s plan so you’ll be there for the promised completion”(Hebrew10:36)

Don’t give up – Grow up!

Day26 - Growing through Temptation

My Temptations have been my masters in divinity  – Martin Luther

Every Temptation is an opportunity to do good.

Temptation simply provides the choice. While temptation is Satan's primary weapon to destroy you, God wants to use it to develop you. Every time you choose to do good instead of sin, you are growing in the character of Christ.

To understand this, you must first identify the character qualities of Jesus. One of the most concise descriptions of his character is the fruit of the Spirit: "When the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control."(Galathians5:22-23)

These nine qualities are an expansion of the Great Commandment and portray a beautiful description of Jesus Christ.

To have the fruit of the Spirit is to be like Christ.

How does the Holy Spirit produce these nine fruit in your life? Does he create them instantly?

Fruit always matures and ripens slowly.

God develops the fruit of the Spirit in your life by allowing you to experience circumstances in which you're tempted to express the exact opposite quality!

Character development always involves a choice, and temptation provides that opportunity.

God teaches us real joy in the midst of sorrow, when we turn to Him.

We learn real peace by choosing to trust God in circumstances in which we are tempted to worry or be afraid.

God uses the opposite situation of each fruit to allow us a choice.

You can't claim to be good if you've never been tempted to be bad. You can't claim to be faithful if you've never had the opportunity to be unfaithful. Integrity is built by defeating the temptation to be dishonest, humility grows when we refuse to be prideful, and endurance develops every time you reject the temptation to give up.

Every time you defeat a temptation, you become more like Jesus!

How Temptation Works

Satan is entirely predictable. He has used the same strategy and old tricks since Creation. All temptations follow the same the pattern.

That's why Paul said, "We are very familiar with his evil schemes."(2Corinthians2:11)

step one, Satan identifies a desire inside of you.

Satan whispers, "You deserve it! You should have it now!

We think temptation lies around us, but God says it begins within us. If you didn't have the internal desire, the temptation could not attract you.

Step two is doubt.

Step three is deception.

Satan is incapable of telling the truth and is called "the Father of lies." Anything he tells you will be untrue or just half-true.

Step four is disobedience.

You finally act on the thought you've been toying with in your mind. What began as an idea gets birthed into behavior.

OVERCOMING TEMPTATION

Refuse to be intimidated.

Temptation is a sign that Satan hates you, not a sign of weakness or worldliness. It is also a normal part of being human and living in a fallen world. Don't be surprised or shocked or discouraged by it. Be realistic about the inevitability of temptation; you will never be able to avoid it completely. The Bible says, "When you're tempted, . . . " not if you’re temped.

Paul advises, "Remember that the temptations that come into your life are no different from what others experience."(1Corinthian10:13)

It is not a sin to be tempted. Jesus was tempted, yet he never sinned. Temptation only becomes a sin when you give in to it.

You can't keep the Devil from suggesting thoughts, but you can choose not to dwell or act on them.

For example, many people don't know the difference between physical attraction or sexual arousal, and lust. They are not the same. God made every one of us a sexual being, and that is good. Attraction and arousal are the natural, spontaneous, God-given responses to physical beauty, while lust is a deliberate act of the will. Lust is a choice to commit in your mind what you'd like to do with your body.

You can be attracted or even aroused without choosing to sin by lusting. Many people, especially Christian men, feel guilty that their God-given hormones are working. When they automatically notice an attractive woman, they assume it is lust and feel ashamed and condemned. But attraction is not lust until you begin to dwell on it.

Actually, the closer you grow to God, the more Satan will try to tempt you.

Sometimes while you are praying, Satan will suggest a bizarre or evil thought just to distract you and shame you. Don't be alarmed or ashamed by this, but realize that Satan fears your prayers and will try anything to stop them.

Treat it as a distraction from Satan and immediately refocus on God.

Recognize your pattern of temptation and be prepared for it.

You should identify your typical pattern of temptation and then prepare to avoid those situations as much as possible. The Bible tells us repeatedly to anticipate and be ready to face temptation." Paul said, "Don't give the Devil a chance."

Request God's help. Heaven has a twenty-four-hour emergency hot line. God wants you to ask him for assistance in overcoming temptation. He says, "Call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me.”(Psalm50:15)

I call this a "microwave" prayer because it is quick and to the point: Help! SOS! Mayday! When temptation strikes, you don't have time for a long conversation with God; you simply cry out. David, Daniel, Peter, Paul, and millions of others have prayed this kind of instant prayer for help in trouble.

The Bible guarantees that our cry for help will be heard because Jesus is sympathetic to our struggle. He faced the same temptations we do. He "understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same temptations we do, yet he did not sin."(Hebrew4:15)

If God is waiting to help us defeat temptation, why don't we turn to him more often? Honestly, sometimes we don't want to be helped! We want to give in to temptation even though we know it's wrong.

 At that moment we think we know what's best for us more than God does.

"Let us have confidence, then, and approach God's throne, where there is grace. There we will receive mercy and find grace to help us just when we need it." (Hebrew4:16)

Temptations keep us dependent upon God.

Just as the roots grow stronger when wind blows against a tree, so every time you stand up to a temptation you become more like Jesus. When you stumble, it is not fatal. Instead of giving in or giving up. Look up to God, expect him to help you, and remember the reward that is waiting for you. “When people are tempted and still continue strong, they should be happy. After then have proved their faith, God will reward them with life forever.”(James1:12)

Day27 - Defeating Temptation

The battle for sin is won or lost in your mind. Whatever gets your attention will get you.

Temptation begins by capturing your attention. What gets your attention arouses your emotions. Then your emotions activate your behavior, and you act on what you felt. The more you focus on "I don't want to do this," the stronger it draws you into its web.

Ignoring a temptation is far more effective than fighting it.

Spiritually, your mind is your most vulnerable organ. To reduce temptation, keep your mind occupied with God's Word and other good thoughts.

That's why the Bible repeatedly tells us to keep our minds focused: "Fix your thoughts on Jesus."(Heb3:1)  "Always think about Jesus Christ."(2Timothy2:8)

"Fill your minds with those things that are good and that deserve praise, things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and honorable."(Philppians4:8)

God says it is the only way you're going to break free. "Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed."(James5:16)

God's solution is plain:

Don't repress it, confess it! Don't conceal it, reveal it.

Revealing your feeling is the beginning of healing.

Hiding your hurt only intensifies it. Problems grow in the dark and become bigger and bigger, but when exposed to the light of truth, they shrink. You are only as sick as your secrets. So take off your mask, stop pretending you're perfect, and walk into freedom.

The reason we hide our faults is pride. We want others to think we have everything "under control." The truth is, whatever you can't talk about is already out of control in your life.

Resist the Devil.

After we have humbled ourselves and submitted to God, we are then told to defy the Devil. The rest of James 4:7 says, "Resist the Devil and he will flee from you.”

Paul tells us, "Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."(Ephesians46:17)

The first step is to accept God's salvation. You won't be able to say no to the Devil unless you've said yes to Christ.

Without Christ we are defenseless against the Devil, but with "the helmet of salvation" our minds are protected by God. Remember this, If you are a believer, Satan cannot force you to do anything. He can only suggest.

Second, you must use the Word of God as your weapon against Satan.

Jesus modeled this when he was tempted in the wilderness. Every time Satan suggested a temptation, Jesus countered by quoting Scripture. He didn't argue with Satan. He didn't say, "I'm not hungry," when tempted to use his power to meet a personal need. He simply quoted Scripture from memory. We must do the same. 

There is power in God's Word, and Satan fears it.

Don't ever try to argue with the Devil. He's better at arguing than you are, having had thousands of years to practice. You can't bluff Satan with logic or your opinion, but you can use the weapon that makes him tremble-the truth of God.

This is why memorizing Scripture is absolutely essential to defeating temptation. You have quick access to it whenever you're tempted. Like Jesus, you have the truth stored in your heart, ready to be remembered.

If you don't have any Bible verses memorized, you've got no bullets in your gun!

Realize your vulnerability.

Jeremiah said, "The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond Cure.(Jeremiah17:9)

That means we are good at fooling ourselves. Given the right circumstances, any of us are capable of any sin. We must never let down our guard and think we're beyond temptation.

Don't carelessly place yourself in tempting situations. Avoid them. Remember that it is easier to stay out of temptation than to get out of it. The Bible says, "Don't be so naive and self-confident. You're not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence, it's useless. Cultivate God-confidence."(1Corinthians10:12)

Day28 - It Takes Time

I am sure that God who began the good work within you will keep right on helping you grow in his grace until his task within you is finally finished on that day when Jesus Christ returns.( Philippians1:6)

While we worry about how fast we grow, God is concerned about how strong we grow.

God views our lives from and for eternity, so he is never in a hurry.

Discipleship is the process of conforming to Christ.

"We arrive at real maturity-that measure of development which is meant by the fullness of Christ."(Ehpesians4:13)

Christlikeness is your eventual destination, but your journey will last a lifetime.

So far we have seen that this journey involves believing (through worship), belonging (through fellowship), and becoming (through discipleship)

Remember that your character is the sum total of your habits.

You can't claim to be kind unless you are habitually kind, you show kindness without even thinking about it. You can't claim to have integrity unless it is your habit to always be honest.

There is only one way to develop the habits of Christlike character.

You must practice them, and that takes time!

Repetition is the mother of character and skill.

Keep a notebook or journal of lessons learned.

This is not a diary of events, but a record of what you are learning. Write down the insights and life lessons God teaches you about him, about yourself, about life, relationships, and everything else.

Record these so you can review and remember them and pass them on to the next generation.

The reason we must relearn lessons is that we forget them. Reviewing your spiritual journal regularly can spare you a lot of unnecessary pain and heartache.

"It's crucial that we keep a firm grip on what we've heard so that we don't drift off."(Hebrew2:1)

He will use your entire lifetime to prepare you for your role in eternity.

He took eighty years to prepare Moses, including forty in the wilderness.