Romans 8:28 – 30• And we know that in all things God works for

the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

Created to Become Like Christ

• From the beginning, God’s plan has been for you to become like his Son, Jesus.– “And God said, Let us make man in our

image, after our likeness” (Genesis 1:26)

• All people, not just Christians, possess part of the image of God.

• Jesus’ mission was to restore the full image that we have lost.

Created to Become Like Christ

• God wants his children to bear his image and likeness.– “Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in

accordance with the truth that is in Jesus.22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:21—24)

Created to Become Like Christ

• While created in God’s image, you will never become God, or even a god.

• God wants you to become godly.

• God’s goal for you on earth is not comfort, but character development.

• He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ.

Steps to Becoming Christ--like

• For lists of Character Traits to acquire turn to:– The Beatitudes of Jesus (Matthew 5:1—12)– The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22—23)– Paul’s great chapter on Love (1 Corinthians 13)– Peter’s list of a productive life. (2 Peter 1:5—8)

Steps to Becoming Christ--like

• Many Christians misinterpret Jesus’ promise of the “abundant life.”– “I have come that they may have life, and that

they may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)

• God is NOT your servant!

• You exist for God and his purposes.

Becoming Christ-like takes Effort

• In Ephesians 4:22—24 Paul explains our three responsibilities in becoming like Christ.– First, we must let go of our old way of acting.– “You were taught, with regard to your former way of

life, to put off your old self” (vs. 22)– Second, we must change the way we think.– “and be renewed in the spirit of your mind” (vs. 23)– “And do not be conformed to this world, but be

transformed by the renewing of your mind” (Rom. 12:2)

Becoming Christ-like takes Effort

• Three Responsibilities (cont.)– Third, we must “put on” the character of

Christ by developing new, godly habits.– “put on the new man which was created

according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (v. 24)

– “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.  For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:26—27)

Becoming Christ-like takes God’s Word

• “All Scripture is God‑breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16—17)

Becoming Christ-like is a Slow Process of Growth

• You are a work in progress.

• It is only finished when you get to heaven or Christ returns.

• “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2)