Growing To Be Like Christ
We imitate those we love. As all of us grew up as kids, we imitated those around us so that we could learn and grow. During that process of growing, we naturally gravitate towards certain people we want to be like.
Jesus says something similar in John 14:21: those who love Him are those who obey His commandments.
Now, let’s be clear. Jesus is not saying you must obey Him before you can love Him. We see elsewhere in Scripture that Jesus loves us freely before we do anything for Him. But what this verse is saying is that the ones who love Jesus are the ones who will obey Him.
If we truly love Him, then we will desire to follow Him. More than that, we will strive to be like Him. Jesus never commands us to do something He wouldn’t do. Most of Jesus’ commands are grounded in His actions and character.
So, in order to grow into maturity and Christ-likeness, we should follow Him and obey what He says. And in order to obey what He says, we should start with loving Him.
As you spend time reflecting during this Advent season, how can you better love Jesus?
As we continue loving Jesus and keeping His commandments, our lives will be transformed.
Psalm 51 To the Choirmaster, a Psalm of David, when Nathan the Prophet went to him, after he had gone into Bathsheba
1 Have mercy on my, O Go, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sis is ever before me.
4 Against you, and you only, have I sinned and done what is exile in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgement.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; awas me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast ...