BEING CHRIST-LIKE

BEING CHRIST-LIKE

If you want to know how exactly to be "Christ-like": read the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:3-12.
The characteristics for us to strive for are stated as:

A. Mournful ( vs 4)
B. Humble ( vs 5)
C. Hunger and Thirst for Justice ( vs 6)
D. Merciful ( vs 7)
E. Hearts are pure ( vs
F. Works for peace ( vs 9)
G. Persecuted in doing right ( vs 10)

Matthew 5 tells us that we must AVOID anger and hatred because it is the same as murder.
It tells us that:
A. We must be sacrificially minded in all our relationships.
B. We are to be faithful in our relationships and not idolaters.
C. We must not make commitments we cannot keep to anyone!
( Vows are serious to God)
D. We must always exercise love and compassion. Revenge is God's prerogative NOT ours!

II. KEY POINTS:

A. ROMANS 5:1-5
Says our hearts determine how Christ-like we are.
If love fills our hearts then we will endure until Christ comes for us.
When we do not have the proper hearts then it shows because we lack the character
to endure trials. Love conquers EVERYTHING, so a lack of it leaves room for defeat!

B. ROMANS 8:9
Tells us how to know we are believers:
1. We are not controlled by sinful nature.
2. Your controlled by the Holy Spirit.
3. Those who do not have God's spirit DO NOT belong to him!
A "Christian" is anyone who has the spirit of God dwelling in them...

C. WHAT DO "CHRISTIANS" DO?
1. They act how Christ says to act ( Rom 8:5)
2. They pray daily ( Rom 8:26-27
3. They do God's will ( Acts 1:8/Rom 12:6)
4. They become part of the plan to build up the church ( Eph 4:12-13)

"Christ-Like" people submit to their government because they acknowledge all authority has
been put in place by their God for whatever purpose.

Christians are not only changed spiritually but they are changed on the outside too, by their
new Godly behaviors. God cares about our bodies and so should we!
When we disrespect ourselves, our bodies, we are in sin because we are disrespecting God!

If you are truly saved you are a new creature, transformed and practicing Christ-Like
behaviors, such as:

A. Giving cheerfully when there is a need, especially to those who are less fortunate.
( Duet. 14:28-29)
B. Trusting God no matter what adversities you face.
( Job 1:9)

IIII. MORE POINTS:

A. READ MATTHEW 13:30
* Christians must co-exist with non-believers.
We must live and be a light in this dark world, but not a part of the worlds ways.
We must live together until Jesus returns but we are to make sure that our walk is righteous
so we are not tossed out like the weeds.
There is no way that we can fail if we are diligently seeking after Jesus.
We as Christians can go directly to God ourselves!
( John 16:23-27)

B. READ JOHN 17:14
* The world hates Christians because they are different from the world in their morals,
values, and their ways. Christians do not participate in other peoples sins they are
living breathing testimonies of Jesus Christ.
The world follows Satan's wishes so it hates Christians because they signify victory
over his sinful ways, with their Godliness...

C. JOHN 17: 21-23
True believers are united with other believers and are not evil doers.
Christians are unified for the purpose of advancing God's Kingdom by spreading the Gospel.
Unity also shows the world God's power and works through man, Satan wants division!

D. ACTS 11:26, PHLM 1:17-19
We must help new believers!
Acts 11:26 tells us that Saul and Barnabas stayed a year in Antioch teaching large crowds
of new converts. We should take the time to make sure that those who are new in their faith
clearly understand the fundamentals of Christianity.
Philemon 1:17-19 also tells us about the new convert Onesinus that Paul took personal
responsibility for. He took the time to love, mentor, vouch for, and nurture his growth.
We should give of ourselves in love because we want to, not in obligation to new Christians.

V. GOD GIVES BELIEVERS 2 GIFTS:

A. READ 2 COR. 1:21-22
2 Corinthians tells us that God gives every believer 2 gifts, one is the HOLY SPIRIT at
conversion, and the other is ETERNAL LIFE, Every believer has the Holy Spirit and Eternal
Life! ( Unless they leave the faith and deny Jesus- there is no coming back from that!)

B. READ 2 CORINTHIANS 6:14-18
It tells us NOT to get involved with legal contracts with unbelievers because righteous cannot
co-exist with wickedness and unrighteousness, there is no harmony between the two,
ESPECIALLY in marriage!
We are to never marry non Christians-its destined to fail because the two are not
equally yoked!

Not only are we to treat our brothers and sisters equally ( Phil 1:16) in Christ but we should
see and understand we are all equals spiritually. Economics, class, race, sex, etc. does
not matter before God. How we treat our church family is how we will be treated and judged.

We need the companionship of our brothers and sisters ( Heb 10:25).
Hebrews tells us that we must NOT neglect our christian meetings together.
(Meaning that we are to go and not miss) and we should not isolate ourselves
from the body. We are to encourage one another- especially in these trying times.

III. THERE ARE CERTAIN ELEMENTS THAT DEFINE OUR CHRISTIANITY,
1 PETER 2:9 TELLS US THEY ARE:
A. OBEDIENT- CHOSEN PEOPLE
B. ROYAL PRIESTS
C. A HOLY NATION
D. GOD'S VERY OWN POSSESSION
E. SHOWING GOD'S GOODNESS TO OTHERS
F. REPRESENT CHRIST TO OTHERS

Christ-like is more than a word, its a state of mind, actions, and a way of life.
It is our job to do a self evaluation daily and live as Christ would until he returns,
that way we make it into heaven!

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