A child’s likeness to a parent is often recognizable by certain attributes, habits, peculiarities, or otherwise that they share. For instance, a mother and daughter may have a similar interest in shopping. Thus when that girl is likened to her parents, she is stated as being “more like mommy every day.” What is the origin of that similarity? Surely we know that it is not inherited. Many attributes similar to those of parents are inherited such as skin color, eye color, hair color, etc. However, a girl’s interest in shopping surely is not. It is, though, a learned trait. The case is likely that the two have spent a significant amount of time together in pursuit of this pastime and the daughter, because of her proximity to her mother, developed that similar trait. Such illustrates the glorious truth that in righteous pursuits, time spent is well spent.
I have in my life known (and do know) men and women, children of God, who are, similarly, “more like Jesus every day.” What is meant is that their personality, character, influence, compassion, etc. so greatly resembles that which Jesus portrays in scripture. How could such similarities exist? Again, we know they are not inherited. Sin is not inherited (Ezekiel 18:20), but neither is righteousness. No, I think rather, that the explanation for such is that they spent a significant amount of time “with the Lord” in prayer and in the scriptures, pursuing a closer proximity to the personality, character, influence, compassion, etc. of Jesus. Peter would say it this way: “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever” (2 Peter 3:18). The two concepts are irrevocably connected. To be more like Jesus demands growth in grace and in knowledge. And growth in grace and in knowledge will produce an individual who is more like Jesus. If that is not the goal of every Christian then their course has been unrighteously altered and they have forgotten their purpose looking toward eternity. A girl’s similarity to her mother is an innocent result. A Christian’s likeness to Jesus must be an expected and anticipated plan for life. What are some areas in which we should grow to become more like Jesus every day?
We should be more like Jesus every day in PRAYER. I believe it can be safely said that Jesus is the Bible’s foremost example in the area of prayer. He is spoken of often as retreating from His daily trials to spend time in prayer. He has more prayers recorded in scripture than any other character of scripture. In fact, His prayer life was so prolific and recognized as such by His associates that they requested that He teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1-4). The longest of His recorded prayers is in John 17, but elsewhere He is referenced as spending an entire night praying (Luke 6:12). What a testament it is to an individual when they pattern prayer lives after their Master. Paul’s admonition was for Christians to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). In other words, he wanted us to recognize the power of prayer and to not give up on its usage. Prayer is a privilege, and it is one that should be put to use every day. In that sense, we can be more like Jesus every day.
We should be more like Jesus every day in PURITY. “For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all point tempted like as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15). “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did not sin, neither was guile found in his mouth…” (1 Peter 2:21-22). “For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens…” (Hebrews 7:26). Each statement in the preceding verses are spoken of Jesus, the sinless Son of God. And as Peter indicated, His suffering and sinlessness served as an example to us in our pursuit for purity. It is very difficult to withstand the world’s pressures, but it is very possible. Sometimes we have to “just say no!” When we commit ourselves to that, we become more like Jesus every day.
We should be more like Jesus every day in PASSION. It was Jesus who on one occasion stated the epitome of what true brotherly love is. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:13). Can a greater display of affection possibly be imagined. The willingness to sacrifice one’s own life pictures a passion beyond comprehension, and yet that is exactly the degree of passion that Jesus had and has for the souls of mankind. The greatest display of love is self sacrifice, but how many are unwilling to show simple signs of affection to others? Such surely shall bear consequences that are eternal (Matthew 25:41-45). But by seeking to show the love of God to those around us inasmuch as we possibly can, we become more like Jesus every day.
There can surely be no more honorable pursuit than to pattern ourselves after Jesus Christ. Such, though, only is possible by careful consideration and application of those principles displayed in the life of the Lord. May it be said of us all that we become more like Jesus every day.
-Andy Brewer
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