Message – Sunday – June 2, 2024. Topic: Purposed to be Christlike; Text: Romans 8:25-35; James 1:19-26.
Christlikeness can define as a lifestyle that resembles that of our Lord Jesus Christ when He was incarnated into this world, exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, Galatians 5:22-23. Believers are to be followers of our Lord Jesus Christ imitating Him and letting Him be their role model, Roman 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; 1 John 3:2. This is the purpose of our Lord and Savior coming to this world as read in the preceding Bible passages. Our Lord Jesus Christ came to the world to reconcile us with God, to be an example to us, and that we in turn will replicate Him and be examples to the non-believers to reconcile them to God, 2 Corinthian 5:14-21.
Today, believers are the epistle that the world is reading, in our homes, churches, places of work, etc. The suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ at Calvary would not be in vain in our lives and those of our loved ones in Jesus mighty name, James 3:1. Being Christlike means living our lives like as our Lord and savior, through the power of the Holy Spirit, in obedience to the Father, John 5:30; 14:31; in humility, Philippians 2:5-8; in service, John 13:12-15; with love and compassion, John 15:13, and in endurance, to name a few of His character.
People are looking at the believers to decide whether to believe or not, and anytime we are not living up to what we preach believers are called hypocrites, just like Our Lord Jesus called the Sadducees and the Pharisees in His days and it is less likely for them to believe. When we live like Him we become effective ambassadors for the kingdom, fulfilling the call to reconcile non-believers, and God the Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit will manifest in our lives, John 14:21. And if God is on our side, who can stand against us? In living a Christlike we truly become children of God and He will lead and guide us in all our endeavors, and will reveal things to come to us, so that we can live a victorious life, John 1:12-13; Romans 8:16-17. We also become joint heir with our Lord Jesus Christ; hence above principalities and power, Ephesians 1:21-23.
Christlikeness is the eternal purpose for all believers, and we can only live this life through the power of the Holy Spirit by surrendering everything to God, trusting in Him, studying the Bible, being steadfast in prayers, Proverbs 3:5-7; Galatians 2:20; John 16:13, 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17. God will continue to bless, guide, and protect, and empower us to live victorious lives in Him in Jesus’ name. Remain blessed in the Lord - Pastor Olumuyiwa Fajolu,
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