Becoming Like Jesus Is a Slow Process

Becoming Like Jesus Is a Slow Process

by Rick Warren

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 cant 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 Gods 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.

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.

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my thots: no matter how old or young you are in your walk with God, stand firm and be steadfast...dun lose focus of wat God has prepared for you...