| Why have we been taught to imitate Christ? Haven’t you heard this one: “Live a good life and try to be as close to perfect (Jesus) as you can”? O dear brothers and sisters, how we have missed the mark! For we cannot be perfect or even close to perfect. No, we cannot even imitate Christ and successfully be what and who He longs for us to be. The key is not in imitation but in transformation. And none of it can be done on our own. It is only by the power of the Holy Spirit living within us that we can be transformed into the likeness of Christ. God wants us to be sons, His sons. He wants me to be another Jesus living on this earth . . . and He wants you to be one also. He doesn’t want me living my life or you living your life -- He wants Christ Jesus living both! O when will we come to the realization that Paul reached? “For it is not I who lives, but Christ who lives in me,” Gal.2:20. Truth is this: I, me, and myself cannot imitate Christ. I can never BE good enough, worthy enough or work hard enough to attain to Christ. But what I can do is get myself out of the way (die to self) and let God do it through me. I can turn the controls over to God my Father and admit that I cannot do it and simply ask my Daddy to do it for me . . . and you know what? He will!! Glory and Hallelujah! Amen. |
| Transformation Not Imitation |