For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29 NKJ
A small child asked his father, “Dad, who is a Christian?” The father replied, “A Christian is a person who loves and obeys God. He loves his friends and neighbors, and even his enemies. He prays often, is kind, gentle, and holy, and is more interested in going to heaven than in all earthly riches. That, son, is a Christian!” The boy looked puzzled and thought for a minute, then asked, “Have I ever seen one?” The child hasn’t, have you?
I am sure you have heard it said not once, not twice but several times that Christians should be a little bit more like Christ. Pastors have preached millions of messages on how to be like Christ. Mahatma Gandhi was asked by evangelist E. Stanley Jones how Christianity could be more acceptable in India. “I would suggest, first that all of you Christians …begin to live more like Jesus Christ” Gandhi answered. He is reported to have said, he loves our Christ, it is Christians he is not too sure of. Christians are supposed to be a striking likeness of Christ; we should be pictures of Christ.
Ladies and gentlemen, we believers are all merely pilgrims in progress, trying – and in the process we have been found trying indeed; but the very term “to be Christ-like” is confusing. Like Him in what way? His ability to perform miracles? To cast out demons? To teach? To face His accusers calmly and silently? So when Paul said we should be conformed to the image of His Son, what was he talking about?
The dictionary defined “Christ-likeness” as “like Jesus Christ, especially in character or spirit”. As simple as that may sound, I am still not sure what “in Spirit” really means. Well, I believe that the term “to be Christ-like” has got to do with His attitude towards, first, His father’s will and secondly towards humanity. I am sure you are asking, and exactly what does that mean? We will get to that next week. I will appreciate your opinion, engage me on this one.
A well-know professional golfer was playing in a tournament with President Gerald Ford, fellow pro Jack Nicklaus, and Billy Graham. After the round was over one of the other pros on the tour asked, ‘Hey, what was it like playing with the President and Billy Graham?’ The pro said with disgust, ‘I don’t need Billy Graham stuffing religion down my throat!’ With that he headed for the practice tee. His friend followed, and after the golfer had pounded out his fury on a bucket of golf balls, he asked, ‘Was Billy a little rough on you out there?’ The pro sighed and said with embarrassment, ‘No, he didn’t even mention religion”. WOW! I’m assuming Dr. Graham handled himself in such a way that spoke more to his friend than a thousand words would have done. So then my question again is…Are you like Christ? Or at least, are you trying to be like Christ?
I will leave you for now, if we don’t meet again, I will see you at the dinner table in Papa’s house.
Rev. Kingsley Ayesu.