Jesus Christ Blog

This will continue until we are . . . mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely
like him. Ephesians 4:13 (CEV)

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Becoming like Christ is a long, slow process of growth. Spiritual maturity is neither
instant nor automatic; it is a gradual, progressive development that will take the
rest of your life.

Referring to this process, Paul said, “This will continue until we are . . . mature,
just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him” (Ephesians 4:13 CEV).

You are a work in progress. Your spiritual transformation in developing the
character of Jesus will take the rest of your life, and even then it won’t be
completed here on earth. It will only be finished when you get to heaven or
when Jesus returns.

At that point, whatever unfinished work on your character is left will be wrapped up.
The Bible says that when we are finally able to see Jesus perfectly, we will become
perfectly like him: “We can’t even imagine what we will be like when Christ returns.
But we do know that when he comes we will be like him, for we will see him as he
really is” (1 John 3:2 NLT).

Much confusion in the Christian life comes from ignoring the simple truth that God
is far more interested in building your character than he is anything else. We worry
when God seems silent on specific issues such as “What career should I choose?”

The truth is, there are many different careers that could be in God’s will for your life.
 What God cares about most is that whatever you do, you do in a Christlike manner
 (1 Corinthians 10:31; 1 Corinthians 16:14; Colossians 3:17, 23).

God is far more interested in who you are than in what you do. We are human
beings, not human doings. God is much more concerned about your character
than your career, because you will take your character into eternity, but not
your career.

The Bible warns, “Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into
it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed
from the inside out. . . . Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down
to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed
maturity in you” (Romans 12:2 MSG).

You must make a counterculture decision to focus on becoming more like Jesus.
Otherwise, other forces like peers, parents, co-workers, and culture will try to
mold you into their image. Sadly, a quick review of many popular Christian books
reveals that many believers have abandoned living for God’s great purposes and
settled for personal fulfillment and emotional stability. That is narcissism,
not discipleship.

Jesus did not die on the cross just so we could live comfortable, well-adjusted
lives. His purpose is far deeper: he wants to make us like himself before he
takes us to heaven. This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility,
and our ultimate destiny.