TO BE LIKE HIM . “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. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”1 John 3:2-4 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 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. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.” Romans 8:28-30 The Salvation Jesus secured for us on Calvary inputs Christ likeness upon us and joins us to the membership of God’s royal family. It is a true confirmation of our relationship and bond with Christ and His Heavenly Kingdom. God expects us to be spiritual and to conform to the image and nature of His son Jesus Christ. This is the only true way to have a sweet uninterrupted fellowship with a Holy and loving God. This explains why God, through Paul, asked us to walk according to the nature and image of His son. This is the primary function of Christ finished work on Calvary, to change (transform) us from the adamic/human nature to Christ likeness which is the Heavenly image and nature of a glorious and Holy God. We must therefore desire earnestly/strongly to break away from the cravings of the human nature and its works. “Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.”John 6:26-27 The process of being transformed to this divine image of Jesus is solely carried out by the ministry or support of the Holy Spirit of God. The Holy Spirit therefore demands our willingness, availability and readiness to welcome Him into our Christian work with the Lord to make this spiritual process easy and fruitful. No Christian believer would be raptured with Christ unless he freely allows the Holy Spirit to start and finish this work of transformation from the human nature to Christ like/rapture ready nature. This is because holiness, which is the main fisher (character) of Jesus Christ, is a magnetic force which attracts the presence of God and properly cements fruitful fellowship with God. God is therefore using the ministry of his holy spirit to gradually transform us from our sinful and human nature into the holy nature of Christ. We must therefore be willing, more than ever before, surrender totally to the promptings support and ministry of the Holy Spirit of God so that we can eventually attain to this Godly nature. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” Romans 8:28-29 “That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:26-27 Effects/evidences of being Christ like. 1. HOLINESS. SCRIPTURAL SEARCH “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy”1 peter 1:14-16 (2 timothy 2:19-22, Isaiah 52:11, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Zachariah 14:20-21, John 17:19, Isaiah 35:8-10) 2. COMPLETE OBEDIENCE. SCRIPTURAL SEARCH “I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.” JOHN 17:6 “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.” JOHN 15:14 (Luke 6:46, John 14:15,) 3. SEPARATION FROM THE WORLD OF SIN. SCRIPTURAL SEARCH “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 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. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you. And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 (1 john 2:15-17, John 17:6,9,11,14) 4. WALKING IN THE NEW LIFE NATURE. SCRIPTURAL SEARCH “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 (Romans 8:13-14,29, Galatians 5:16-26, Colossians 3:16-17) 5. DIVINE BOLDNESS. SCRIPTURAL SEACRH (Proverbs 28:1, Daniel 11:32, 2 Corinthians 1:7, Romans 8:15) 6. CONSECRATION/COMMITMENT. SCRIPTURAL SEARCH “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1 7. WALKING IN THE SPIRIT. SCRIPTURAL SEARCH “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 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. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Romans 8:1, 5-10, 12-14 (1 John 3:4) 8. WALKING IN THE WORD OF GOD. SCRIPTURAL SEARCH “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” Colossians 3:16 (john 17:8,14, psalm 119:9,11,105) 9. WALKING IN PRAYER. SCRIPTURAL SEARCH “Pray without ceasing.”1 Thessalonians 5:17 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint” Luke 18:1 (John 17:9) 10. WALK IN LOVE AND UNITY. SCRIPTURAL SEARCH “That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:21,26 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aarons beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments; As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.” Psalm 133:1-3 11. WALKING IN HUMILITY. SCRIPTURAL SEARCH “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” PHILIPPIANS 2:5 “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.”1 Corinthian 11:1 Brethren we must awake from our spiritual slumber and be on fire (watchful) and be readily available to finish the work and the great commission given to the church by the Lord Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago. Let us therefore return to our Bethel of prayer, consecration and obedience. The church has talked for so long, let us walk the talk and reignite our prayer ministry for revival and effective Christian discipleship/ministry. Let us allow the Holy spirit to finish the work of spiritual transformation of fully conforming to the image, nature and likeness of our Lord and Master Jesus. God bless// be encouraged. Pastor Martins Okonkwo
Posted on: Sat, 16 Nov 2013 13:22:27 +0000
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