How can we even possibly try to live like Christ?
By ourselves, we cannot hope to live like Christ, for we are not capable of it. But controlled by the Spirit of Christ in us, we can!
Romans 8:9 - But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
1 Corinthians 1:30 - But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
How then do we cultivate the Christlike spirit within us?
As we let Christ control our inner life, he also controls our outer expressions of that inner life.
2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
We are made more like Christ by simply believing in Him.
1 Corinthians 1:2 - Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
1 Corinthians 6:11 - And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
We grow in Christlikeness by constantly learning the truths of the Bible, and living by them.
John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
We become more Christlike by working hard to keep sin out of our lives.
2 Corinthians 7:1 - Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
How can we hope to be Christlike?
On our own, it is not possible, for we are a sinful people. But we can give our bodies to God as an offering, a living sacrifice to Him. He will help us have Christlike conduct.
Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
This then becomes the test of our faith in Christ - are we living as He wants, are we living a Christlike life? If we are, it would suggest that Christ lives within. If we are not, it would suggest that He does not live within.
1 John 2:3 - And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
Promise From God:
1 John 3:2 - Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
By ourselves, we cannot hope to live like Christ, for we are not capable of it. But controlled by the Spirit of Christ in us, we can!
Romans 8:9 - But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
1 Corinthians 1:30 - But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:
How then do we cultivate the Christlike spirit within us?
As we let Christ control our inner life, he also controls our outer expressions of that inner life.
2 Corinthians 3:18 - But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
We are made more like Christ by simply believing in Him.
1 Corinthians 1:2 - Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
1 Corinthians 6:11 - And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
We grow in Christlikeness by constantly learning the truths of the Bible, and living by them.
John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
We become more Christlike by working hard to keep sin out of our lives.
2 Corinthians 7:1 - Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
How can we hope to be Christlike?
On our own, it is not possible, for we are a sinful people. But we can give our bodies to God as an offering, a living sacrifice to Him. He will help us have Christlike conduct.
Romans 12:1-2 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
This then becomes the test of our faith in Christ - are we living as He wants, are we living a Christlike life? If we are, it would suggest that Christ lives within. If we are not, it would suggest that He does not live within.
1 John 2:3 - And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
Promise From God:
1 John 3:2 - Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
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