Christlikeness

12/6/2023

Written by: Christina Gregory

“Christ-like” is a term I toss around a lot. It’s the standard of which I measure my own morality and a go-to term in parenting. But have you ever tried to make a list of Jesus Christ’s characteristics? It’s really long! And He never slips up! Who He was is who He is all the time. Even when He was tired or hangry while earthside. Even when He has to repeat Himself. Even when we don’t deserve it.

While there are many examples in scripture of how we can and should model Christ, “Christ-like” is not a term derived from the original translations of the Scriptures. And maybe that’s because it’s too broad, all encompassing, infinite.

We just don’t, can’t, won’t ever measure up.

I hope that comes as a relief to you. I hope your shoulders lost a bit of tension as you breathe through that reality. I hope that mercy frees you up to really hone in on the characteristics of Christ that God is working to refine in you. Your righteousness in the name of Christ has the power to make waves through generations but you’re not the Savior, your character should just point to the Savior! For that, I am so thankful and humbled!

In our first season of small group with Victory 5 years ago we went through a study led by Andy Stanley called “How To Get What You Really Want,” where he encouraged us to make a list of 7 characteristics that we want to be remembered for in this life. Out of all the studies we’ve done in our groups, this one has stuck with me the most.

This practice gave me constructive steps in my pursuit of holiness. It also helped me realize that while I hope that my character would be summarized as “Christ-like” I can’t be all that Christ is to everyone all the time. But I can be some thing’s most of the time.

Stanley says “Those seven words became a perimeter around my behavior. They informed my conscience. When I wandered outside the perimeter of those seven things I wanted to be said about me, my conscience lit up!” This exercise has served me in the same way!

I took this a step further and found a scripture reference for each characteristic which has also helped me exercise my scripture memorization muscle! It prevents my own internal critic from speaking down to me when I fall short and is instead the Word of God gently realigning me with His truth!

Gentle: “but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” 1 Peter 3:4

God-fearing: “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is praised.” Proverbs 31:30

Servant: “For you were called to freedom. Only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity to gratify your flesh, but through love make it your habit to serve one another.” Galatians 5:13

Different: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:2

Integrity: “I know that you are pleased with me, for my enemy does not triumph over me. Because of my integrity you uphold me and set me in your presence forever.” Psalm 41:11-12

Obedient: Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

Compassionate: “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” Psalm 82:3

I want to encourage you to spend some time praying and evaluating what values and characteristics of Christ you want your behavior to be based upon. I keep my list of seven characteristics and their scriptures in the notes on my phone so they are easily accessible.

I want to leave you with this commentary of 1 John 3:2 from John R.W. Stott. I hope it fills you with as much excitement for our future as it does me, when our Christlikeness is made complete!

1 John 3:2. “Beloved, we are God’s children now and it does not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he appears, we will be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”

“We don’t know in any detail what we shall be on the last day, but we do know that we will be like Christ. There is really no need for us to know any more than this. We are content with the glorious truth that we will be with Christ, like Christ, forever.”