People are created to be like Christ
Let’s review: Part 1 is: We were planned for God’s pleasure, and that’s called worship. Part 2 is: We Find Meaning in Community, that’s called relationships or fellowship.
Now, there’s a third reason God made us. He created each one of us to be like Christ, and we call that discipleship. God works in our lives to transform us into the likeness of his Son, Jesus Christ.
The Bible says in Romans 8:29 (HCSB)
For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.
We need to have a clear understanding that Jesus was not an accident. His birth and our lives are all part of God’s original plan. God still working the same plan today that He has had from the very beginning of time.
God’s plan needs to become our plan -- immediately! Our goal needs to be to help the people around us to become more and more like Christ. Part of the process is helping them understand how God is going to take them through everything that happens in their life. Just as Jesus went through joy we too will experience joy. Just like he went through sorrow, we too will experience sorrow.
Was there a time when Jesus was lonely? Yes.
Was there a time when Jesus was tempted? Yes.
Was there a time when Jesus was unpopular? Yes.
Misunderstood? Yes.
Criticized? Yes.
Went without basic needs? Yes.
Was there ever a time in Jesus’ life when things left him uncomfortable? Absolutely.
Our lives are filled with all these problems and too many more to list here. We need to remember God is not only in control, but He is right there with us in our Joys and our sorrows. Only then can they truly become like Jesus. Perhaps Corrie Ten Boom said it best when she wrote:
“No pit is so deep that He is not deeper still; with Jesus even in our darkest moments, the best remains and the very best is yet to be.”
The Bible also says that other people are able to see God at work through our own suffering.
“It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. John 9:3 (NLT)
In order to produce the fruit of the Spirit in us, God will place us in difficult situations, surrounded by people who don’t like us, won’t try to understand us and often will treat us unfairly. Our faithfulness through trials will help others to see their problems from God’s
perspective and will help them submit to his sovereign hand as he works to make them more like Christ.
Thank you
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