BECOMING GODLIKE
We know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2, R.S.V.
Many theological discussions center on how a follower of Christ becomes like Him. I wonder how many people go from these discussions discouraged. There are endless lists of outward deeds to do and not to do. They include food to eat and food not to eat, clothes to be worn and clothes not to be worn. This might be termed sanctification by lists.
But such deeds do not necessarily make us godlike. That is evidenced by the passage in Matthew 7:21-23, which tells of those who will someday cry unto God to let them enter the kingdom of heaven but will be told that their deeds are evil. This they cannot understand, and they cry, "Lord, Lord, did we not...do many mighty works in your name?" (R.S.V.).
Godlikeness will show itself in the way we act, but the things we do can stem from many motivations. The desire to be saved can be one of the most selfish of motivators--in reality, it might be the quest to please self forever.
Working for the salvation of others can still be selfish. We might enter into such activity to be well thought of by others. True Godlikeness goes much deeper, though in fact it is expressed by the way we interface with the world around us.
Our text today offers a real clue to becoming godlike. It is not just at the second coming of Christ that we may become like Him. "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory [character] of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness" (2 Cor. 3:18, R.S.V.). By beholding God and all that He is--just, reasonable, long-suffering, loving, forgiving, healing, friendly, creative, and infinitely more--we find admiration and adoration swelling in our hearts for Him. And just as basic as the law that makes water flow downhill and balloons float in the air is the predisposition of my heart to copy what it regards.
Our motivations stem from who we are, from our inner values. When our hearts regard God, this is more than an objective appreciation of His being. It involves a relationship, because to enjoy relationships is the truest essence of God.
To know God is to love Him. To focus upon Him is to become like Him, inwardly as well as in outward deeds.
We know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2, R.S.V.
Many theological discussions center on how a follower of Christ becomes like Him. I wonder how many people go from these discussions discouraged. There are endless lists of outward deeds to do and not to do. They include food to eat and food not to eat, clothes to be worn and clothes not to be worn. This might be termed sanctification by lists.
But such deeds do not necessarily make us godlike. That is evidenced by the passage in Matthew 7:21-23, which tells of those who will someday cry unto God to let them enter the kingdom of heaven but will be told that their deeds are evil. This they cannot understand, and they cry, "Lord, Lord, did we not...do many mighty works in your name?" (R.S.V.).
Godlikeness will show itself in the way we act, but the things we do can stem from many motivations. The desire to be saved can be one of the most selfish of motivators--in reality, it might be the quest to please self forever.
Working for the salvation of others can still be selfish. We might enter into such activity to be well thought of by others. True Godlikeness goes much deeper, though in fact it is expressed by the way we interface with the world around us.
Our text today offers a real clue to becoming godlike. It is not just at the second coming of Christ that we may become like Him. "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory [character] of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness" (2 Cor. 3:18, R.S.V.). By beholding God and all that He is--just, reasonable, long-suffering, loving, forgiving, healing, friendly, creative, and infinitely more--we find admiration and adoration swelling in our hearts for Him. And just as basic as the law that makes water flow downhill and balloons float in the air is the predisposition of my heart to copy what it regards.
Our motivations stem from who we are, from our inner values. When our hearts regard God, this is more than an objective appreciation of His being. It involves a relationship, because to enjoy relationships is the truest essence of God.
To know God is to love Him. To focus upon Him is to become like Him, inwardly as well as in outward deeds.
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