INTRODUCTION:
The outlook of the world insists that becoming something or someone in life has to do with the sum total of your circumstances and experiences. Meaning, what makes you the person you are becoming is your personal experiences. The concept of existentialism comes from the claim that existence creates essence. Thus, you are formed by what you go through in life. We see this notion in Mrs Michelle Obama’s book “BECOMING”. Another example is the use of the word ‘Evolve/Evolving’, especially in the US. This idea of becoming or evolving stems from existentialism, which advocates that essence is not given, but discovered through life experiences. Thus, people are motivated to discover who they are and be the best version of themselves.
The 17th century was largely defined by the words of a French philosopher Rene Descartes, “I think therefore I am.” These words emphasise reasoning as grounds for existence. In my opinion, the 21st generation (postmodern) can be defined by the words, “I feel, therefore I am.” The emphasis has become on feelings. Feelings are the base upon which we rest the meaning of life. What we feel defines us and gives meaning to what we are in a true sense. In this outlook, people live to discover their essence through life experiences based on their feelings.
However, Christianity holds a radically different view. We do not look at our experiences, current circumstances, neither do we look at our desired future to become something. We are not searching for meaning in life based on our feelings. We look at Christ: He is the sum total of who and what we want to become. Jesus Christ is the true image of who we should be and what we desire to become daily. In Christ, our essence in life is already defined. We do not create meaning through life experiences.
We do not use God to experience life; we use life to experience God. Our life experiences, pain, suffering, shame, loss, joy, achievements, success and power are a means to know God and to be more like Him. They are not what we are or what we are becoming. Our feelings do not lead to becoming something or someone. We are informed, empowered, and pulled by a higher reality. We assimilate and conform to the Person of Christ, that is what we are becoming or evolving into. Thus, if you are evolving or becoming the best version of yourself, I hope your best version of self looks like Christ and not the ideal self formed by 21st century ideologies. If you are becoming anything that does not resemble Jesus Christ, you have missed the goal of being a Christian. Meaning, you have missed the mark with your whole life!
WE HAVE BEEN PREDESTINED TO BECOME CHRIST-LIKE.
We exist for the sole purpose of becoming like Christ. The destiny of everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ is to conform to the image of Christ and exalt Christ in all things. Christ must be exalted in your relationships, in your marriage, in your career, in your business, in your children, in your present and future endeavours. God is glorified when Christ is exalted in our lives.
When you get born-again, you do not become like Christ automatically. Regeneration happens once, but transformation takes place overtime. The formation of Christ in our lives is not given. It is something that we grow into through the work of the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the Word. Apostle Paul likens the effort of forming Christ in people to labour pains, “I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you”Galatians 4:19. It takes extreme effort to come to the full stature of Christ. In fact, this is the whole purpose of the five-fold gifts and ministry, according to Ephesians 4:12-16.
In essence, the formation of Christ is the work of the Holy Spirit through the Word. The Holy Spirit is the one who brings the formation of Christ in us through the Word of Truth. However, a pastor with a calling and a ministry with a vision must work hard for people to be fully formed into the Image of Christ (by the Spirit through the Word). We are called, “so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ” Colossians 1:28.
This is what we are resolved about: To make Christ known so that Christ may be fully formed in people and exalted in all that they do in their lives. Ultimately, we are resolved to live a Christ exalting life.
THE IMAGE OF GOD.
“He is the image of the invisible God…” Colossians 1:15.
Jesus Christ is the visible expression of the invisible God, Colossians 1:15-17. In Christ, we see the God who cannot be seen, John 1:18. Jesus Christ is the perfect representation of God and the very essence of God’s nature, Hebrews 1:3. The fullness of God dwells and can be fully seen in Christ, Colossians 1:19. This concept of the image of God is prominent in the Bible. In fact, we hear about the image of God from the beginning, Genesis 1:26.
“Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
God did not create or invent His image. It has been with Him since eternity.
Jesus Christ did not become the image of God. He has always been the Word, the Image and the begotten Son of God. On the other hand, Adam and Eve were made in the image of God. They were created in His image. When Adam and Eve fell, they took a different image, which did not represent God. They lost the image of God! They lost their “Christlikeness!” Now, the redemption of mankind is the restoration of the image of God, who is Christ Jesus to mankind.
The invisible image of God is now visible in Christ so that we can see Him and become like Him. Our migration from Adam to Christ moves us from the flesh to the Spirit, from old man to the new man, and from the fallen nature to the divine nature. “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.” 1 Corinthians 15:49.
We are called to take the image of the Son and thus represent Him in all things: personal life, career, marriage, and relationships. We are called to project the image of Jesus Christ in this life. We live for Him, to show Him in all that we do and say, Colossians 3:16. We are being transformed into His image. “And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” Colossians 3:10.
We need to realise that we exist (all that we are) for the sole purpose of becoming like Christ more and more. Everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ is destined to conform to the image of Christ and thus exalt Him in all things.
THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST.
“He is… the firstborn of all creation.” Colossians 1:15.
The description ‘the firstborn’ means that Christ is foremost and takes priority in all things. Christ is Alpha to all things and that should be evident in us. “’I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God.” Revelation 1:8. Christ is the essence of all things and He is before all things. He is in everything a priority. Christ cannot be in something and not be a priority. He is the firstborn, John 1:1-3.
A theological term that expresses the foremost of Christ is the word preeminence. Preeminence is the quality of being more important or better than others are. It is the superiority and dominance of something over others. Thus, when we speak about the preeminence of Christ in the life of a believer, we are speaking about the dominion, high regard, and supremacy of Christ in and above everything in the life of a believer.
If Christ is preeminent in our lives, there should be no question about who we are living for. Meaning, the supremacy of Christ should be obvious in our lives. Jesus must come first and be before all that we love, admire, and cherish. Jesus Christ is the most important thing in our lives and nothing dispute, challenges, or competes with Him in our minds, hearts, and body.
To say Christ is before all things is effectively to say, Christ is bigger than life itself. So, you cannot live life at His expense. Instead, you live your life to express His supremacy in all things. God made Himself knowable so that we can experience Him in this life, not so that we can use Him to experience this life. In fact, I dare to say God has left nothing outside Himself to be desired! Christ is our ultimate desire, and that desire informs all other (our) human desires.
The centrality of all things under one Name, for one purpose, to one true God is the crux and the end-goal of Christianity. God’s ultimate plan reaches its apex in the preeminence of Christ in all things. God’s plan has always been to unite all things in Christ, things in heaven and things on earth, Ephesians 1:10. God is glorified when Christ is exalted through our lives.
“Those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” Romans 8:29.
The reason we are being conformed to His image is so that through our lives, Christ might be first in everything. We were made to become Christ-like so that Christ might be the first in everything. The formation of the image of Christ in us is only evident when Christ becomes foremost in all that we do. The essence of Christianity is therefore to become like Christ so that through our lives Christ might be preeminent in all things.
PUTTING ON CHRIST.
In the times when people are becoming more and more self-conscious, the call to be deeply and firmly Christ-conscious is greater.
The Bible commands us to put on CHRIST, “… Clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.” Romans 13:14.
To be clothed with a person was a frequently used Greek phrase, meaning to assume the interests of another, to embody their spirit, and be wholly on their side. To put on Christ is to step aside permanently and let the Spirit of Christ take charge over you. Christ is the most glorious, most graceful and most balanced person to cover our humanity. Thus, you should show the values and nature of Christ in your personal life, relationships, marriage, career, parenting, business, and ministry.
To put on Christ is to be completely immersed in the Person of Christ, it is to be baptised in His death and resurrection. “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:27. What does it mean when we say we are baptised into Christ? Simply put, it is to be unrecognisable! To disappear in His death and appear in His resurrection as a new person.
“Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:3-4.
How much of Christ do you think you have allowed to takeover your life? How much of this newness of life has infected you?
One way to know the answer to these questions is to look at what you lack, which Christ had in great quality; truth, love, forgiveness, peace, joy, humility, obedience, and grace. Otherwise, you can look at what you tolerate, which Jesus Christ rejected; sinful behaviours of all kinds and form.
If we are occupied by Christ, then we should have the burden and the will to live with a single goal of becoming more and more like Him in all that we are in this life.
CONCLUSION
The preeminence of Christ Jesus in our lives is not only reflected by what we desire to be (our effort), but more so by God’s divine will and purpose expressed through us. Christ is not only the object of your effort to know Him, but the source and an enabler of that effort. “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13.
Becoming Christ-like does not result from our natural effort. It is a spiritual transformation that takes place as we expose ourselves to His glorious presence, live by His divine Word, and are being led by the Holy Spirit.
The word must be preached in such a way that the image of Christ is made clear for everyone to see it and assimilate to by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our worship experience must reveal and exalt Christ in such a way that people encounter Christ Jesus and are transformed by His glory. Our lives and service to people must be an encounter with the love of Christ and thus compel people to desire and believe in our Lord, Christ Jesus.
May our ministries compel people to Christ and reveal a glorified Christ. We should be a space where the image of Christ is not only desirable but also possible. The transfiguration experience was so that we can remove our own “images” and traditions in order that Christ might remain the only image visible to us, “And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.” Matthew 17:8.
Indeed as children of God we do not let our situation to define us nor validate who we are, but we look at Christ to see what we ought to be. Jesus is indeed the true and the only image we ought to desire to conform to.
May the Lord help us to conform to the Person of Christ and live out Christlike lives.
To die to self everyday is a need for every child of God. Our worldly desires and passions of flesh are ought to be put away through becoming like Christ.
The verse: “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me…” may it not be only just a lipservice but may it be meant and lived out.
I pray that we become Christlike that we no longer live but Christ live in us.
This article has been helpful to remind us why we are on earth and when the Groom comes he comes to be caught to a bride like Him.
May we be transformed by His Word to a bride without blemish so we may be caught up with Him and be with the Lord Jesus forever.
I will be coming back now and then to re-read this article as a reminder that I am ought to be clothed with Christ and become like Him.
Amen!!!
First, well done on being the first to comment.
What a beautiful reflection on the sermon. This line “This article has been helpful to remind us why we are on earth and when the Groom comes he comes to be caught to a bride like Him.” is so important. This captures the purpose of the article so well.
Thank you Moruti
What a word! We’re becoming like Christ. You have summarized the essence of human existence beautifully, especially the essence of us as Christians. We desire to be many things, and we’re told to be many things. We end up not knowing what we want. Do we even know what the best version of ourselves is? This article is a great guidance. “I hope your best version of self looks like Christ”
Am I the only one who sees this as an answer to our prayer for “GUIDANCE”? I guess, if we miss this there’s no reason to continue praying for guidance. This is where GUIDANCE begins. You have just share a goal that all other goals depend on. “If we are occupied by Christ, then we should have the burden and the will to live with a single goal of becoming more and more like Him in all that we are in this life.”
Thank you Moruti. Your continued labour to ensure we’re formed into the image of Christ is appreciated.
I prayed for guidance this year but I didn’t notice that God has already answered that prayer. Thank you for connecting what we prayed for and what God said to us through this message so well.
Indeed, there is so much that we can be but there is actually one thing we are called to be – to be conformed in to the Image of Christ. That is the goal! So, we can go after everything we desire or given as options to be or we can be what God has already decided we should be – Christ-like!
Thank you for this comment. It reflect so beautifully on the need to desire to be like Christ in deeds and in words on our daily activities. By this, you managed to help so that this need is not a ‘pie in the sky’ but a reality that we can practice daily.
Thank you for your insightful comment!
“Jesus Christ is the true image of who we should be and what we desire to become daily. In Christ, our essence in life is already defined.”
This beautifully captures the message of this article for me. What we should desire is to be like Christ, for that is what we are called to do. I’m glad that you wrote this article, this is the truth that is usually not spoken. We often hear of the things that we get FROM Christ, and very little about being LIKE Christ.
I agree with Melusi that this is one article to come back to.
What a beautiful comment. You have managed to identify the hinge of the entire article Lebogang. Thank you for taking the time to read and reflect on this work.
That left me with a “mhhhhh” coz this really says the words……becoming,our generation is lost,we all wish to become like other humans,we all wanna be superior than others……as you once said “sin is more attractive than the word” we all wanna become like celebrities who aint doin things the right way,who ain’t telling us the truth about their lives……but there’s god who is honest but its just that he is boring to us as this new generation, its really not easy to escape from the world,from the things we use to do with our friends, from the things we thought we knew……some try and fail because they never prioritised god from the start,they thought its an autopilot, they think if you went through salvation you done….but it does not end there….”How much of Christ do you think you have allowed to takeover your life? How much of this newness of life has infected you?” Thats the biggest problem hard to solve…..because we think Christianity starts from salvation and ends in salavation from then on you just go to church like everyone without a purpose
Thank you pastor, its such a revealing article and it just took me to ponder.
Perfecf for us who still hungry to know more and learn this life….one love
Wow Nizi, what a heartfelt and honest refection on the message of this article. Thank you for taking the time to leave this comment. It is such reflections that keeps me going, thank you for reminding me that doing this work is worth it. May God fill your hunger with Himself!
Much appreciated Nira!
What a beautiful reminder that Christ remains the ultimate purpose of our existence. Everything in our lives must point back to Him. Literally all that we are or have or even want to become is vanity outside of Christ. We were brought with a high price (the blood of Jesus), our lives are not our own, therefore Christ should have the preeminence in our lives and the only image we should behold.
For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself.
Hebrews 3:3 ESV
https://bible.com/bible/59/heb.3.3.ESV
May Christ get more glory and honor in our lives.
I always look forward to your commentary because I know that it add value to the work. What a way of life we are called to live, it’s an absolute honor to live for Him Ho dead for us. I love the Hebrews 3:3 verse you used.
The transfiguration experience was so that we can remove our own “images” and traditions in order that Christ might remain the only image visible to us, “And when they lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only.” Matthew 17:8.
Until he come and touches us we will not awake from the slumber of our worldly desires. Even in our better knowledge of him, as you rightly put it, we have become more and more self-conscious. There needs to be a deep desire to be continuously transformed and transfigured in our relationship with him until only him is seen (formed). In the book of Acts the Holy Spirit encounter was not a once off occurrence for the apostles but a continous process suggesting the need for BECOMING in all that we are to his image. It is not in self-righteousness this can happen but only through the work of the Holy Spirit and the ministry of the Word. He is the essence of our being, our life and everything we desire in this life for with him we are complete.
Thank you Mfundisi for the reminder pointing us back to the cross and taking us back to the basics of what really matters in our walk with him.
Babe Dludlu, thank you so much for your careful analysis and profound reflection on this article. Your commentary is sobering, refreshing, and insightful.
This line “Even in our better knowledge of him, as you rightly put it, we have become more and more self-conscious.” Has brought me to my knees, the desire to see ourselves is so deep that the need to consciously remove ourselves so we can see HIM is extremely important.
Thank you for taking the time to read and comment, you have added a much added value to this work.
Thank you Lord that I don’t have to discover my essence through life experiences, my essence has already been defined for me. I look at Christ, the sum total of who and what I want to be. Some of the greatest questions of humanity have been answered: What is my purpose? What is my destiny? What is the best version of myself? It is no longer a mystery. Christ. Christ, my destiny. Christ, my purpose. The best version of myself should be and look like Christ.
Thank you Moruti for teaching this with clarity and direction.
What a beautiful PRAYER! We echo this prayer for you have actually prayed for all of us. Thank you for your devotion and life live for and to Him (Christ)!
Wow this teaching is indeed transformative. This is a word in season with our generation and the 21st century to remind us of our true identity in Christ. We live in a world and society that we encourages that we can be anything we want to be but the truth is we should yearn to be everything that God has ordained us to be. Thank you Ps Thabang for pouring out truth in this season and life of comprise. May God increase you and resolved church to be a voice that echoes in this generation.
Thank you Moruti for taking the time to read and comment. I am deeply encouraged! Indeed, “We live in a world and society that we encourages that we can be anything we want to be…” I am glad that we have Christ who is everything to us.
This is an awakening article. This is a call to forsake the world and conform to Christ.
We can only be transformed if we submit to the working of the Holy Spirit through His word. Let’s allow the word to renew our minds.
Putting on Christ requires an effort from us, it requires us to take unpopular decisions and to seperate ourselves from the world. This is certainly not easy, but it is worth it. May we delight in the process of denying ourselves and live a life that is fully given to God.
“Who are you living for?”
Who is your Lord?
Indeed, becoming like Christ is not an easy task. Jesus says, those who hear His words and do them is like a person who build a house upon the rock…! So, it takes hard work and intentionality. ULTIMATELY, WE MUST DIE TO SELF TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST. I agree with this line fully, “ Putting on Christ requires an effort from us, it requires us to take unpopular decisions and to seperate ourselves from the world.”
“We need to realise that we exist (all that we are) for the sole purpose of becoming like Christ more and more.” That sums it all up for me. And what an amazing image we are being called to conform to! An image that pleases God. An image of God’s love made flesh. Christ is THE role model, THE obsession and THE influencer in our lives. If we are not becoming like him, we are most likely erring. Thank you Pastor for this in depth article on becoming like HIM.
All the things that we look at and desire to be confirms that we were created to BECOME, The question is, what do we decide to become… this article seek to point us to the one we were meant to become – Jesus Christ. Hence, I like this quote “ Christ is THE role model, THE obsession and THE influencer in our lives.”
This is so profound, in the world where we have lost the the true meaning of what it means to be Christlike this article tells it all and gives the full and true meaning of what it means to be Christlike!
Our experiences do not shape us but who our Lord Jesus Christ is, this is what truly forms us to be fully charged to bring the Gospel and make God known unto earth.
Thank you so much Pastor.
Thank you for taking the time to read and for leaving a comment.
Firstly, thank you for this.
These lines are what got me – “We look at Christ: He is the sum total of who and what we want to become. Jesus Christ is the true image of who we should be and what we desire to become daily. In Christ, our essence in life is already defined. ” For many of us who are committed to obeying God in the literal sense, like not engaging in any known acts of sin, worshipping, praying, giving, embodying the fruits of the holy Spirit etc., this could feel like it is all it takes to truly be Christ like. But actually there’s more, right? Like having faith that God will provide when he tells you it’s time to leave your job and focus on spreading his Word. Haha! It takes supernatural strength from Him to truly be like Him.
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