Becoming like Jesus

Jesus and I are very different persons, that much is clear to me. However what has been compelling to me is how important it seems to become more like Jesus. Paul gives his readers a clear example of who to rely on.

“Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.” — Colossians 2:18–19

Even though this was written to turn the Colossians away from asceticism and angellic worship the moral stays the same: Jesus is the one to rely on. He is the one from whom all things grow.

Paul has established this importance of holding onto Christ and growing from him but how does he want us to do that?

“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” — 2 Corinthians 3:18

This seems to be from the Lord, Paul is saying that since our veil has been lifted and we have seen the truth we are being changed to the likeness of Jesus. What is it that becomes more like the Lord? It is clear that we need to hold onto Jesus, and we will become more like him the more that we do so. But what is the final product? What should make us stand out from all the others? I would argue that Jesus promises the outcome of this transformation in the gospel of John.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” — John 13:34–35

Again John puts this so nicely in another one of his letters,

“…if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” — 1 John 4:12

Dear God, help us love one another, abide in us and show us how to love like you love. Show us how uncompromising you are and how you desire to see the world love like you. Help us be that example to others, help us show your love by loving others. You are love and we want to become like you, and we know that becoming like you is chiefly by loving like you do.