To Be Like Christ
The plan of God is for believers “to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29). Just exactly what is true of Christ that is supposed to be true of us? What are the specifics? To define all that is involved in being like Christ and describe what that means in a variety of situations cannot be done is a short article. It would take a book—the New Testament! What can be done in a short space is to outline the overall concept.
While there are many characteristics of Christ, they can be grouped around two concepts. According to John, Jesus, who is God (Jn. 1:1) in the flesh (Jn. 1:14), is full of grace and truth (Jn. 1:14, 17). Around the two fundamental attributes of grace and truth can be grouped all the qualities of godliness. The Old Testament emphasizes that God is holy (Lev. 11:44) and the New Testament stresses “God is love” (1 Jn. 4:8). Around holiness can be grouped such attributes as truth, justice, and righteousness. Clustered around love is grace and mercy. To be Christ-like, believers must be both holy (truthful, just) and loving (gracious).
When Moses asked to see God, he was given a list of seven characteristics of God (Ex. 34:5-7). The list contains three pairs of characteristics referring to His mercy and a single attribute affirming His justice. Clearly, mercy predominates, but this list is in essence two basic virtues: mercy and justice, which are similar to grace and truth.
The Psalmist said, “For Your mercy is great above the heavens, and Your truth reaches to the clouds” (Ps. 108:4). Sounds similar to grace and truth. Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees that they “neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith” (Mt. 23:23). He is highlighting the most predominant aspects of the Mosaic Law as justice and mercy. The ultimate in Christ-like maturity is “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15; cf. 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 2:22).
Righteousness is doing what is right. Love is doing what is best for other people. It is seeking their highest good. Christ-likeness is being both righteous and loving. These two things are not in conflict with each other. What is right is loving and what is truly loving is right.
Instead of developing balance in both facets of godliness, believers often manifest one aspect of godliness without the other. Truth without grace is aloof. Righteousness without love is judgmental. It makes one a critical and condemning judge. Love without righteousness is sheer sentimentality. Grace without truth is “sloppy agape.” It makes one an “enabler.”
To be Christ-like, believers must be full of grace and truth. To have one without the other is not true Christ-likeness. To have both, and have them in their proper place, makes one like Christ and one who is a comforter and an encourager to others.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 8/20/2008
While there are many characteristics of Christ, they can be grouped around two concepts. According to John, Jesus, who is God (Jn. 1:1) in the flesh (Jn. 1:14), is full of grace and truth (Jn. 1:14, 17). Around the two fundamental attributes of grace and truth can be grouped all the qualities of godliness. The Old Testament emphasizes that God is holy (Lev. 11:44) and the New Testament stresses “God is love” (1 Jn. 4:8). Around holiness can be grouped such attributes as truth, justice, and righteousness. Clustered around love is grace and mercy. To be Christ-like, believers must be both holy (truthful, just) and loving (gracious).
When Moses asked to see God, he was given a list of seven characteristics of God (Ex. 34:5-7). The list contains three pairs of characteristics referring to His mercy and a single attribute affirming His justice. Clearly, mercy predominates, but this list is in essence two basic virtues: mercy and justice, which are similar to grace and truth.
The Psalmist said, “For Your mercy is great above the heavens, and Your truth reaches to the clouds” (Ps. 108:4). Sounds similar to grace and truth. Jesus told the scribes and Pharisees that they “neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith” (Mt. 23:23). He is highlighting the most predominant aspects of the Mosaic Law as justice and mercy. The ultimate in Christ-like maturity is “speaking the truth in love” (Eph. 4:15; cf. 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 2:22).
Righteousness is doing what is right. Love is doing what is best for other people. It is seeking their highest good. Christ-likeness is being both righteous and loving. These two things are not in conflict with each other. What is right is loving and what is truly loving is right.
Instead of developing balance in both facets of godliness, believers often manifest one aspect of godliness without the other. Truth without grace is aloof. Righteousness without love is judgmental. It makes one a critical and condemning judge. Love without righteousness is sheer sentimentality. Grace without truth is “sloppy agape.” It makes one an “enabler.”
To be Christ-like, believers must be full of grace and truth. To have one without the other is not true Christ-likeness. To have both, and have them in their proper place, makes one like Christ and one who is a comforter and an encourager to others.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 8/20/2008