In this season of celebration of the coming of Jesus Christ to redeem humankind, there is no better topic than that to usher us into the realm of becoming like Jesus Himself. As children of God, becoming Christ-like should be our primary aspiration. To do so, we must set our eyes on things above, and not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:1-14 aptly captures the essence of this teaching:
“If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things, the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all. Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection”.
To be like Christ requires all the foregoing. It must be a resolve of every child of God. This is possible if we recall what the scriptures say in 2 Corinthians 5:17-18: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation”. To make becoming Christ-like possible and a lifestyle, a major step is to be born again.
What is Character? How is it perceived in Christendom?
Your character is you. What we see in you is the total summation of your character. What you exhibit in real-time and in real life is the definition of your character. If you are not always punctual for meetings, classes, or church services, it may as well have revealed who you are.
Character is the will to make choices. For a Christian, character is the will to do what is right as defined by God, and not by you. When you see things from the lens of God, regardless of the cost to you, then you have the character of God. Character in Christian terms does not have a flip side- it is always good. It is either you have a character or you do not. When you show evil or do anything that is not scriptural, it means you do not have character. Therefore, character is a good or godly attitude demonstrated at all times, a thing that is inside of you but which manifests in your day-to-day behavior.
Does your character represent Christ? After church service, what character do you exhibit? When no human eyes are on you, what do you do? Who are you in secret?
There are standards of God that are quite high, but which you, as a Christian must align with, to be on the same page with Jesus. The standards seem tough, but we must apply them in our lives. Whenever we exhibit a poor attitude, we misrepresent the kingdom of God. But whenever we do right, we announce to the world the godly heritage that we have. Christians must exhibit godly character to project who Jesus is. Therefore, we have a calling to show who our Jesus is, and this can be gleaned only from only our attitude, acts, and behavior.
What are the Examples of Christ-like Character?
The mercy of God culminated in His ultimate gift of Christ, for our redemption and eternal life (John 3:16). Built in interminable and enormous love, His mercies are renewed every day and are without repentance. The mercies of God make His grace abundantly available to us. Without His mercies, we would not be who, what, where, and how we are today. His mercies rescue us from destruction, take us through the storms of life, and place us in places far above principalities and powers. The mercies of God maketh rich and add no sorrow (Proverbs 10:22). The mercies of God gifted us Jesus, who is the embodiment of mercies. As a child of God, we must imbibe this nature of our Father and show mercy to our fellow human beings, Christians or not. Mercy includes kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, When you show Christ-like mercy to unbelievers, or when you act in mercy before them, you are likely to endear Christ to them and win them to Him.
Humility is a Christ-like character. Wherever He went on earth, Jesus humbled Himself. In the Old Testament, pride is condemned in the strongest of terms: “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 18). The scriptures are consistent about pride and humility because God despises pride and arrogance. “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6). Several other scriptures (Psalms 10:4, Job 9:13, I Peter 5:5, Proverbs 14:3, II Timothy 2:25) reiterate this inimitable disposition of God to pride and humility. What more do you need as a Christian to dispose of pride and arrogance, which are abhorred by your Father in Heaven, and cultivate instead, the nature of humility?
Brethren, in light of the above, if anyone ever tells you or complains that you are proud or arrogant, then you have work to do immediately. This is because such attributes are not of God. Showing arrogance or seeking veneration from everyone around you, including your peers, juniors, spouses, or children, does not show a Christ-like nature. Like Jesus, who never showed arrogance to those around people and welcomed everyone with open arms and meekness, you are supposed to be humble toward people around you.
Giving is a godly character. David gave the biggest tabernacle to God in his time. Solomon gave to God mightily, following his father’s footsteps. God gave His only begotten son, Jesus. Jesus gave His life on the cross, bore all our sins, and put Himself on the line to save humanity.
Let us note that whatever nature you exhibit around- your children in particular- they will imbibe it and replicate the same. If you do not show godly character as enunciated above, they will not only replicate but also multiply it. That was why Solomon copied his father and gave so much more to humanity. God gave His son and His son gave His life. Giving is Christ-like; it should be a lifestyle among Christians and a heritage we must hand over to our children.
Other features of a Christ-like character are longsuffering- being tolerant and patient with people, even when they are provocative in behavior; contentment- being satisfied with what you have and not having a competitive mindset with others, which could breed jealousy or greed or both; discretion- choosing to do things wisely when it matters; self-control; sincerity-honesty; and joyfulness.
Benefits of Christ-like Character?
First, leading a godly life will glorify God. God’s name will be glorified by the Christ-like behavior and acts you put up. Everyone will celebrate your God when you show those attributes of Jesus.
Second, it will lead you to a peaceful life. Have you noticed that the life of those without Christ-like character often ends up in chaos? These could be critical relationships, financial crises, health issues, criminal acts or cases, societal isolation, or an outright fall from grace. These shall not be your portions in Jesus’ precious name! Engage in godly ways and you shall be free indeed.
Third, your Christ-like life will attract people to Christ. Your act is light that will shine and attract people. Honesty, transparency, kindness, meekness, love, joyfulness, understanding, and so forth are godly lights that shine and attract people to us. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Fourth, shame will be far away from you. Any act that you cannot exhibit openly or you are hiding from people is likely a shameful one (Proverbs 13:34) God does not operate or expect you to operate this way. When you engage in acts that Jesus would do, you can never be wrong or put to shame.
How to Build a Christ-like Character
The first thing to do is to imitate or model Christ. “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (I Corinthians 11:1). You have to be intentional about this. Your goal must be to study and carefully follow Christ’s footsteps in order to be like Him. You must consciously nurture all those Christ-like features or potentials, which you have in you.
Furthermore, you must have self-control. Self-control must be exercised in your emotions (anger, lustfulness, greed), and all other slothful acts. Jesus demonstrated the mist restraint at all times and He came to teach us the way to life. That attitude of self-control has to be cultivated.
In addition, you must be meek. Jesus preached meekness at all times and said the meek alone would inherit the earth (Matthew 5:5). The fullness of the earth is therefore your inheritance if you are meek or tolerant and forgiving. By implication, while you consciously grow your godly nature by being meek, you also have a huge reward ahead for exhibiting meekness.
Obedience is a virtue. It has to be exhibited in the spiritual and physical realms. Obedience to God and in the community of men is required to develop a Christ-like character. Jesus even taught us to give unto Caesar what belongs to him (Mark 12:17). Loyalty is also a virtue. Our loyalty to God is sin qua non. A lack of loyalty could cost people dearly. Judas lost eternity owing to disloyalty. Lucifer lost his place in eternity because of disloyalty. Jesus is the embodiment of loyalty and today, He reigns forever!
Renewal of mind is another way to build a Christ-like character. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 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 12:1-3). Everything about you starts with your mind. It comes with a thought. To develop godly character, it starts with your mind, before it becomes an intention or a quest. Start today!
Friend, a Christ-like nature is founded on a redemptive life. Godly life and all the blessings that come with it are the exclusive preserve of the redeemed. I urge you strongly to give your life to Christ and begin to reign forever in Him. Until next week when we discuss another important topic that will ennoble our godly life and Christian faith, it is my prayer that you witness a rebirth, carry the pure nature of Jesus Christ, and reap all the rewards therein. Amen!
- Our contributor, Pastor Sam Adelusimo is the Resident Pastor, RCCG Chapel of Praise, Northwest Arkansas, United States of America
