Becoming Christlike
The Bible makes it clear that the goal of our lives is to become like Christ. Paul challenges us to "present everyone mature in Christ." (Col. 1:28).
Becoming like Christ is a life-long process, not an event. A conversion experience only initiates the process of restoration; it means we have said yes to the direction God already had in mind for us. Spiritual maturing takes time. We often forget that at least 17 years passed between Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus and the day he wrote his earliest epistle -- hardly a sudden transformation.
Where are you in your journey to becoming Christlike? Becoming like Christ is a spiritual practice, a daily discipline, a commitment to continuous conversion. Every day we are called to take off the lingering habits of the old self and put on the ways of a new self that is ours in Christ. But we do not do this by our own power. While Paul counsels us to work out our salvation "with fear and trembling," he goes on to say, "it is God who is at work in you, enabling you ..." (Phil. 2:12-13). That's why daily devotions are so important -- spiritual progress comes when we make room each and every day for God to inspire our desire and enable our readiness to live in Christ. What does your daily spiritual practice consist of?
Becoming Christlike is also a partnership. We don't get there without encouragement from one another. That's why the church is so essential. The author of Hebrews calls us "holy partners in a heavenly calling" (Heb. 3:1) and exhorts us to "see to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God" (Heb. 12:15). Who are your companions on the way of Christ?
May God be with you in your daily practice of Christlike living over the next 60 days.
Stephen D. Bryant
Editor and Publisher
The Upper Room®
From The Upper Room® daily devotional guide, January/February 2005. Copyright © 2004 The Upper Room. All Rights Reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
