Stop Trying to Be Like Jesus!

The title of this article may have surprised you. Why would I say to stop trying to be like Jesus? Notice the main operative word here. It is “trying.” We can never become Christlike by trying, because trying implies that we are using our own intellect and willpower. Becoming like Jesus is not about trying, it is about transformation. No matter how hard we “try” to become more like Jesus it just doesn’t work. Here is the typical process that most people follow in “trying” to be more like Jesus.

1. We hear a sermon, Bible lesson, or read a Bible passage on a specific aspect of living the Christian life.

2. We are convicted by Holy Spirit that we need to change.

3. We then “try” to change using our willpower to create the change.

Consider this a real-life example:

You hear a sermon on not worrying. The pastor uses the text from Matthew 6 and focuses on the following words of Jesus.

“Therefore I tell you: Don’t worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food and the body more than clothing? Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. -- Matthew 6:25,34 CSB

So, you say to yourself, “Jesus says not to worry. So, I am committing to try not to worry so much.” Notice again the operative word is “try.” You may become somewhat better at not worrying, but there won’t be much change by just trying

WHY? Worrying basically comes from fear, and because of our fallen nature, we are naturally fearful people. After Adam and Eve sinned, God walked through the Garden in the evening, but they hid from him.

“Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden at the time of the evening breeze, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden. So the LORD God called out to the man and said to him, “Where are you?” Noticing that they were not anywhere to be seen, God says, “Adam, where are you?” -- Genesis 3:8-9 CSB

The answer that Adam gives shows that one result of their sin was fear.

And he said, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked, so I hid.” --Genesis 3:10 CSB

“I was afraid… so I hid. Because of the original sin of Adam and Eve, we have inherited a deep-down fear. Often, we cannot pinpoint why we are afraid, but it is always there. We are afraid of not being loved and accepted. We are afraid of not being financially stable (Jesus’ focus in Matthew 6 on not worrying). We are afraid our children might go astray. We are afraid of __________. You fill in the blank.

Because fear is a part of our sin nature and worry comes from fear, trying harder will not take away our worry! It is only by the power and action of Holy Spirit changing or “transforming” our inner being that we can begin not to worry.

Worry is just one example of how trying to be like Jesus just won’t work. In order to become more like Him we need a change in our interior being that has been bent by sin. Even though we have been redeemed, we still have a basic sin nature that plagues us. The Apostle Paul put it this way…

I have discovered this principle of life-that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. -- Romans 7:21,23 NLT

How we can change!

The only way that we can truly change is to allow Holy Spirit to change or transform us. But, “How can we allow Holy Spirit to transform us?” Does being faithful in church attendance, listening to sermons, attending Bible studies, and reading our Bible every day accomplish this? Not necessarily! These things are good, and we should do them. However, doing them can just become more information in our mind’s “spiritual library.”

Two things are needed if we are going to be transformed into becoming more like Jesus. The first is desire. We have to desire to be changed into the image of Christ. Second, is to provide time and space for Holy Spirit to work in our lives. This is where spiritual disciplines come in. Through positioning ourselves before God through Spiritual disciplines, we give Holy Spirit the opportunity to shape and form us – to transform us. There are a variety of spiritual disciplines that position us to be transformed. However, here are five foundational spiritual disciplines and a brief description of how each discipline might be used to make us more like Jesus. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list of spiritual disciplines. There may be other disciplines that we are led to practice that can be used by Holy Spirit to bring about our transformation.

• Worship (both individual and corporate)

  • Praising God for who he is brings us into the reality of his majesty, greatness, love, and grace

  • When we truly see him “high and lifted up,” we become like Isaiah and are aware of our sinfulness (Isaiah 6:1-8)

  • Being in the presence of God in worship allows Holy Spirit to show us what holiness truly looks like.

• Solitude & Silence

  • Sitting before God in solitude and silence allows Holy Spirit to speak to the depths of our spirit. It creates a time that is on God’s agenda, not ours.

  • It allows God to say whatever he wants to as we attentively listen.

• Devotional Bible reading

  • Most of our Bible reading is for information, not transformation. Saturate your Bible reading with a focus on what God is saying to you through the verses, not what you can learn.

  • Lectio Divina is an ancient way of engaging God’s word for transformation. Here is a brief overview.

    • Read

      Choose a short passage of scripture that you can slowly read. Be mindful of each word and phrase. This may mean reading the text multiple times and then identifying a word or short phrase that speaks to you in some manner.

    • Reflect

      Use the above passage or phrase to guide you in a time of reflection and self-examination. How does the passage apply to you and your circumstances? Invite God to speak and reveal what He desires to show to you through the text.

    • Respond

      Share your thoughts with God about your engagement with his Word. Be honest! Share whatever is on your mind, no matter how light or dark it may be.

    • Rest

      Sit in silence, resting in God’s presence, being open to what he may say to you. Receive His forgiveness, assurance, or whatever else He may have for you

• Prayer

  • Continually bring the area of Christlikeness in which you want Holy Spirit to transform you before God in prayer. Allow God to show you specific incidents where you have fallen short. Specifically ask him to empower you to change.

• Community

  • Lean into your faith community by sharing your victories and setbacks. Allow others to pray for you and encourage you.

This has only been a brief overview of how we can stop “trying” to become like Jesus and allow Holy Spirit to actually transform us more into the likeness of Christ. Look for upcoming articles that will dive deeper into our being transformed.