8206 Christlikeness

The process by which believers are conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ, especially in relation to obedience to and trust in God. Through the Holy Spirit, God refashions believers in the image of his Son, who is set before them as a model of the form of the redeemed life.

Believers are to become Christlike

1Co 11:1; Php 2:5 Paul is arguing that believers must allow God to make them Christlike, which is the natural goal of their process of growing in faith. Christlikeness is not achieved by people merely trying to imitate Jesus Christ, but by God making believers more like his Son in sanctification, through the Spirit. See also Jn 13:15; Ro 8:29; Eph 4:11-13; Php 3:8-11,20-21; 1Jn 2:6

The Holy Spirit makes believers Christlike

2Co 3:18 See also Ro 8:5-9; Gal 5:22-23; 1Th 1:6

Christlikeness is the aim of discipleship

Mt 10:25 See also Lk 6:40; 1Jn 2:6

Christlikeness is based on total commitment to Jesus Christ

Lk 9:57-62 See also Mt 9:9 pp Mk 2:14 pp Lk 5:27; Mt 19:21 pp Lk 18:22; Jn 1:43; Jn 10:27; Jn 12:26; Jn 15:10; 2Jn 9

The demonstration of Christlikeness

In costly sacrifice Mk 8:34-35 pp Mt 16:24 pp Lk 9:23-24 1Pe 2:21-23 See also Mt 10:38; Lk 14:26-27; Jn 12:26; Jn 21:19; Php 3:10; 1Pe 4:1

In humility and service Mt 20:26-28 pp Mk 10:43-45 See also Mt 11:29; Mk 9:35; Lk 22:24-26; Jn 13:14-15; Php 2:4-5

In love for other believers Jn 15:12; 1Jn 3:16 See also Jn 13:34; Jn 15:17; Eph 5:2,25

In a readiness to forgive others Col 3:13 See also Mt 6:12 pp Lk 11:4

In sharing Jesus Christ’s mission to the world Mt 4:19 pp Mk 1:17 See also Jn 20:21

By following godly examples that imitate Jesus Christ 1Co 11:1 See also Eph 5:1; 1Th 1:5-6; 1Th 2:14; Heb 6:12; Heb 13:7-8; 3Jn 11

Christlikeness is part of God’s re-creation

Ge 1:26-27; 2Co 4:4; Eph 4:24; Col 3:10

The process of becoming Christlike

It is the purpose for which believers are saved Ro 8:28-29 See also Eph 2:10; 2Pe 1:4

It continues in the experience of believers 2Co 3:18

It will be complete when believers finally share Jesus Christ’s glory 1Jn 3:2-3 See also Ps 17:15; Jn 17:24; 1Co 15:49-53; Gal 4:19; Php 3:20-21; Col 3:4; 1Jn 4:17

See also