Becoming Like Jesus

When we accept salvation and endeavour to take the Bible's advice seriously, it also benefits our bodies. Sometimes we are so much more vulnerable to frustrating idleness than the early followers of Jesus, because our bodies and souls are unwell. The Bible teaches that we can change that – this applies to both you and I. God spoke to the Israelites in Exodus 19:6 concerning the Mountain of Sinai “And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.” The salvation was God's plan and idea when He called the Israelites out of Egypt and also called us out of the world. Not so that we could become wealthy, not so that the world could accept us, but so that we could become holy and one day live as kings and priests in heaven (Revelation 1:6). And only a saved person can become holy. That is the logical consequence, so that who we are in heaven already will become visible in us on earth! To God the glory. Ultimately it is about the question: How do I treat my salvation? Do I live my life in this redemption? Do I do this as victor or rather as loser? Rather as someone who only bears the forgiveness of sins intellectually in his mind, or is it rooted deeply within my heart and thus makes me truly joyful? Have I perhaps not learned to deal correctly with that which God has given me in Jesus Christ? In this, we probably all have our shortcomings. But, we can change this – the Bible says so. We are allowed to become like Jesus – that is the goal and also the highest honour in heaven and on earth. It is much more than having specific talents or skills, and more than some position in a Church in this world. We don't need any religious training, when we deal with other people or those in our congregation, if we are like Jesus.

How did Jesus recruit His disciples? He merely looked at them and said: “Follow Me”. That was sufficient. People would come to salvation in hordes if we were like Jesus. It wouldn't be difficult at all. What will happen in heaven? In 1 John 3:1-2 it is written: “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” That is the goal, it will happen. Being like Him does not mean that we will all look exactly like Jesus on the outside, but we will have the same essence and character and likewise be sons and daughters of God. Yes, we are already that – but why do people here on earth see it so seldom in us, and then only for short periods? Salvation helps us, that it becomes better and clearer – now already! That is what we need to strive for. In heaven we will recognize at precisely the instant when HE looks at us that we are in Jesus and He is in us, and we all are in the Father. Then it will become apparent what the redemption of our sins has worked in us through the Holy Ghost. Paul said that we are children of God, not that we will become children of God, or were and are not anymore. We are, it has just not been revealed completely yet. That is why we also believe, before we have seen – Romans 8:16-17 “ The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.” Amen.

Jörg Bauer