Getting on the right page

Recently, while song-leading at church, I called out the number and title for, “Oh to be like thee.” Then, as occasionally happens, I fumbled with the pages in the hymnal while everyone else was waiting for me to get on the right page. So, I stated, “I’m having trouble getting there.” It immediately dawned on me what I had said, “Oh to be like thee, I’m having trouble getting there.” If that’s what I had meant, it would’ve been an honest confession (Romans 7:14-25).

Christians are to continue putting away the fruitless deeds of darkness to become more Christ-like so we can reflect him to others (Ephesians 5:1-11; Romans 6:3-7; Colossians 3:5-11; 2 Corinthians 4:4-7; 3:17-18). We have this ability and obligation because we received God’s Holy Spirit when we were baptized [Acts 2:38-39; 22:16; Colossians 2:9-13; 1 Peter 3:21 (NASB); Romans 8:6-17]. Becoming more Christ-like is, therefore, a debt, and we’re to leave no debt outstanding, except the debt of love, which is connected to Christ-likeness (Romans 13:8-10).

This debt of love is for God that extends not only to other Christians, but to all of humankind (Galatians 6:9-10; I John 3:16-18; 4:12-13; Luke 10:25-37). Loving other Christians shows the world that we’re Jesus’ disciples and that we agree with each other on his will (John 13:34-35; 17:20-26; 1 Corinthians 1:10-13). Loving the world, including our enemies, makes us more Christ-like than just about anything else because that potentially produces the best fruit – the salvation of others (John 3:16; Matthew 5:43-48; Romans 5:1-11; 7:4; Philippians 1:20-22; Colossians 1:3-14).

Becoming more Christ-like isn’t something we must do all on our own; in fact, we can’t. Not only is the Holy Spirit the deposit guaranteeing our salvation, he helps us become more Christ-like and helps us produce fruit that attracts others to salvation (Ephesians 1:13-14; 1 Corinthians 2:9-16; Galatians 5:22-25; 6:7-8; John 15:1-8; Titus 2:10-14). God also gave us the Bible to help us grow more Christ-like, reflecting his diving nature in which we participate through the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:3-11). Prayer is another gift from God to help us in times of need so we can overcome temptation and sin (Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 14:37-38; 9:23-24; Romans 8:26-27). Finally, we’re given other church members to help us grow more Christ-like (Acts 2:41, 47; 1 Corinthians 12:12-27; Hebrews 10:19-25; 3:12-14).

It’s critical that we take advantage of the mechanisms God has provided, not only to help us grow, but to also keep us from falling away (Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Peter 3:16-18). I can honestly confess that whenever I fail in my path to become more Christ-like, it’s because I’ve failed to take advantage of the help God has provided.

Do you desire to be on the right page with God as one who’s received his gift of the Holy Spirit? Be active in becoming more Christ-like by asking God to help you so you can attain his goal for you of Christ-likeness as you take advantage of the help he provides (Philippians 3:10-16).

Leonard Lauriault writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected]