#christlike #waterwalkinggirls
Jesus embodied human perfection. He was compassionate, loving, forgiving, committed and prayerful. Jesus displayed gentleness, patience, self-control and humility all while modeling how to be a servant. Whew! What a list of characteristics! While Christ embodied all of these characteristics, you and I must strive daily to follow His example. Will we ever display all of these characteristics at once? No, not on this side of Heaven. However, we must try every day! Every day that we are granted here on earth is another chance to work toward being more Christ-like.

John the Baptist spent his ministry preparing the way for Jesus. When studying his life you will learn that all of his preaching was intended to point others towards Christ. In John 3 some of John’s disciples were upset that Jesus was also baptizing and felt Jesus was competing with John. “John answered, “’It’s not possible for a person to succeed-I’m not talking about eternal success-without heaven’s help. You yourselves were there when I made it public that I was not the Messiah but simply the one sent ahead of him to get things ready. The one who gets the bride is, by definition, the bridegroom. And the bridegroom’s friend, his ‘best man’-that’s me-in place at his side where he can hear every word, is genuinely happy. How could he be jealous when he knows that the wedding is finished and the marriage is off to a good start? That’s why my cup is running over. This is the assigned moment for him to move into the center, while I slip off to the sidelines.” John 3:27-30 The Message
What a gracious way for John to point to Christ. The NIV version of verse 30 is: “He must become greater; I must become less.”
This scripture is a good one to memorize to keep us grounded as we strive to be more Christ-like. Often when we get into the thick of service and ministry others will compliment how well we are doing or comment on our “success.” However we must always use our ministry, service and witness to point to Christ.
Over the years Julie and I have read about and adopted a Latin phrase-Soli Deo Gloria or SDG for short. SDG means “To God Be the Glory.” Johann Sebastian Bach wrote SDG at the end of all the musical pieces he wrote. Julie and I don’t often say it to others but mostly use it between the two of us when one of us compliments the other’s writing. I don’t remember which of us started it first-that part is not important- but it is a way to keep us grounded. We both desire that all that we write always point to Christ.
How about you? Is there room for growth in a Christ-like characteristic? Do you have an area of ministry that you need to remind yourself to point toward Jesus? Today as you examine your Christ-like characteristics listen to this song and pray to grow to be more like Jesus.

More Like Jesus by: Kristian Stanfill