The pursuit of Christ-likeness is an all-consuming pursuit. Although we imagine the end result of the pursuit to be the most satisfying thing ever, we recognise the enormous amount of effort needed for this endeavour. After all, we are merely sinners saved by grace. We are not Christ Himself.
In the pursuit of Christ-likeness, we will inevitably face discouragements and setbacks. Although this is the ultimate pursuit in Christianity – yes, it's even loftier than evangelism or church building – it will pose the biggest challenges in our character, attitude and even our way of life.
Yes, it's hard to imitate Christ, but we are encouraged to do so. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 11:1, "1 And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ."
Are you content to just stay a nominal Christian, thinking that it will be hard for you to carry your cross and follow Christ?
Here are some reasons why you should not quit in your pursuit of being like Christ.
1. God wants you to be conformed to the image of Christ
Romans 8:29, "For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters."
It's God's desire that we Christians would be like Christ. Think about it. The term "Christian" simply means "following Christ." We are to follow in Christ's footsteps, in His way of life, in His character. God is pleased with His one and only Son (see Matthew 3:17), and it will also please Him to see all of His adopted sons and daughters be like Jesus, "the firstborn among many brothers and sisters."
2. God's Spirit will help us become more like Christ
2 Corinthians 3:18 says, "So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image."
We are not alone in the pursuit. Because God desires to make us like Christ more than we do, He is also more committed than we'll ever know in making that desire become a reality.
God is and will always be patient until we are moulded into the face of Christ. No matter what the scrapes and bumps, He will always be there to smoothen and fashion us into the image of our Saviour.
3. It's the most important pursuit of our lives
Greater than any pursuit in life is the pursuit of becoming like Christ. As Christians, it's what we should live for. No, we don't live to just share the gospel. No, we aren't Christians just so that we'll avoid going to hell. No, we don't live to be blessed. All these are but the benefits of being a Christian!
So what's the most important thing? That we would become like Christ. 1 John 2:6 says, "Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did."
