Dictionary of Bible Themes Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8200 The character of the believer » 8206 Christlikeness The process by which believers are conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ, especially in relation to obedience to and trust in God. Through the Holy Spirit, God refashions believers in the image of his Son, who is set before them as a model of the form of the redeemed life. Believers are to become Christlike 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 2:5 Paul is arguing that believers must allow God to make them Christlike, which is the natural goal of their process of growing in faith. Christlikeness is not achieved by people merely trying to imitate Jesus Christ, but by God making believers more like his Son in sanctification, through the Spirit. See also John 13:15; Romans 8:29; Ephesians 4:11-13; Philippians 3:8-11,20-21; 1 John 2:6 The Holy Spirit makes believers Christlike 2 Corinthians 3:18 See also Romans 8:5-9; Galatians 5:22-23; 1 Thessalonians 1:6 Christlikeness is the aim of discipleship Matthew 10:25 See also Luke 6:40; 1 John 2:6 Christlikeness is based on total commitment to Jesus Christ Luke 9:57-62 See also Matthew 9:9 pp Mark 2:14 pp Luke 5:27; Matthew 19:21 pp Luke 18:22; John 1:43; John 10:27; John 12:26; John 15:10; 2Jn 9 The demonstration of Christlikeness In costly sacrifice Mark 8:34-35 pp Matthew 16:24 pp Luke 9:23-24 1 Peter 2:21-23 See also Matthew 10:38; Luke 14:26-27; John 12:26; John 21:19; Philippians 3:10; 1 Peter 4:1 In humility and service Matthew 20:26-28 pp Mark 10:43-45 See also Matthew 11:29; Mark 9:35; Luke 22:24-26; John 13:14-15; Philippians 2:4-5 In love for other believers John 15:12; 1 John 3:16 See also John 13:34; John 15:17; Ephesians 5:2,25 In a readiness to forgive others Colossians 3:13 See also Matthew 6:12 pp Luke 11:4 In sharing Jesus Christ's mission to the world Matthew 4:19 pp Mark 1:17 See also John 20:21 By following godly examples that imitate Jesus Christ 1 Corinthians 11:1 See also Ephesians 5:1; 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6; Thessalonians 2:14; Hebrews 6:12; Hebrews 13:7-8; 3Jn 11 Christlikeness is part of God's re-creation Genesis 1:26-27; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10 The process of becoming Christlike It is the purpose for which believers are saved Romans 8:28-29 See also Ephesians 2:10; 2 Peter 1:4 It continues in the experience of believers It will be complete when believers finally share Jesus Christ's glory 1 John 3:2-3 See also Psalm 17:15; John 17:24; 1 Corinthians 15:49-53; Galatians 4:19; Philippians 3:20-21; Colossians 3:4; 1 John 4:17 See also
2339 Christ, example of |
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