What does it mean to be Christlike?
It all begins with this one core truth: we don't become like Christ by trying to act like Him. Human character is fatally flawed. We all know that love fails—it’s failed all of us in many ways. But God’s love never fails. Just as God regenerated our spirits when we were born again, Christlike character comes only from God.
We receive it from Him. And there’s a process we follow to do that. Today, we’re going to talk about that process.
It begins when we put on Christ. We need to replace our flawed, fallen human character with Christ’s supernatural character. We put on Christ’s character.
Romans 13:14 says:
"Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ as if He were your clothing. Don’t think about how to satisfy sinful desires."
Colossians 3:12 (NIV) tells us:
"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."
Every day, we choose to put on Jesus’ character. The Holy Spirit forms Jesus’ character in us. He enables us to live like Jesus, no matter what’s happening around us—or to us.
Galatians 5:22 (NLT) says:
"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control."
When you reach the end of your patience, your love, or your peace, ask the Holy Spirit to give you Jesus’ limitless, unfailing character—and He will.
You put on Christ.
You become like Christ as you first daily desire to be like Jesus. Psalm 37:4 promises: "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."
Offering ourselves to God every day as a living sacrifice is the key. That’s what Jesus did and what Scripture tells us to do.
This means that whatever God wants us to do that day is our priority. We are here as servants—love servants—whose greatest joy is to make the Father happy.