CAN YOU SAY, "BE LIKE ME?"

We all know that it is God's will that born again believers think, speak, and act like Jesus Christ (Phil. 2:5-8).  In fact, the Holy Spirit uses His shepherds to make us like Him.  Paul wrote, "And He gave some, Apostles; and some, Prophets; and some, Evangelists; and some, Pastors and Teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:  Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Eph. 4:11-13). 

Unfortunately, the process of being made into the likeness of Christ is a life-long work of the Holy Spirit in us (Jn. 16:13-14).  John wrote, "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" (1 Jn. 3:2).  Paul knew the work of making us like Him would continue until our very last breath.  He wrote, "Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 1:6). 

Paul wrote to believers, "Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing" (Phil. 3:16).  If we are walking faithfully, according to the level of maturity the Lord has worked in us, we should be able to say, "be like me."  If not, then we need to repent and begin doing so!  Yes, we are all in the process; some are further along than others, and yet, all of us should be living in such a way that we can say to our children, "be like me."      

Paul admitted he still "needed work" when he wrote, "Not as though I had already attained, were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:12).  Paul was very clear that he struggled with sin every day (Rom. 7:14-25), and still, he could say, "Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am . . ." (Gal. 4:12).

If you are born again, if you are trying your very best to be like Jesus, then know this. 

You are someone worthy of being a spiritual role model to others!