CHRISTLIKENESS!

CHRISTLIKENESS!

Rom 8:29

29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

          It’s selfish how we pick and choose the verses we remember. Most believers can quote at least a portion of Romans 8:28 from memory. “We know that all things work together for good…” We forget verse 29 which tells us that God’s plan for our life is to become conformed to the image and likeness of His Son, Jesus.

          Christlikeness can be defined as “resembling Christ in character, actions, and attitudes.” I suspect that we often fall short of God’s goal but God is patient with us and keeps molding us into that preferred form. Trials are often used as His tools to do so.

James 1:2-4

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers [various kinds of] temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh [develops] patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

          The pain you are now experiencing may be God’s way of chiseling away pieces of your unwanted character or polishing the roughness of your attitude. His goal is not to make you miserable but to make you like Christ. Yield to this working of the Holy Spirit. Ask God for mercy and to give you only as much as you can bear today. Slowly, the image of Christ will be displayed in you.

Dear Lord, we yield today to the process that makes us like you. Give us grace and mercy. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.