Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8206 Christlikeness

8206 Christlikeness

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