READ: 1 John 3 (Focus vs. 1-3)
MEMORY VERSE
“We all . . . are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory.” 2 Corinthians 3:18
BACKGROUND
The tall passenger seemed to unfold as he stood up in the aisle of the small regional jet. Then I noticed the title of his boldly displayed book: Be Like Jesus. A few minutes later, I saw that same man push others aside to grab his bag off the waiting trolley.
Be like Jesus? I didn’t know if he was truly a “brother” who knew Christ, but I was dismayed by this display of selfishness that misrepresented Jesus.
As my feet hit the escalator, I saw the man again, book cover still visible.
The words then elbowed my own heart. Be like Jesus, Elisa. Don’t judge. I wondered, was my presence emanating anything of Jesus?
Becoming like Jesus is a transformational process—a metamorphosis—of God growing His character in us as we yield to His ways. Paul wrote that believers in Jesus “are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18).
John marvels at how hard this is for us to understand—much less achieve: “Now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him [in purity], for we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2-3).
As the escalator spilled us out, I glanced again at the book. Be Like Jesus—the words took on new meaning for me and redirected my gaze to my own heart and life.
Elisa Morgan
INSIGHT
In his first letter, John carries forward many of the same themes that frequently appear in his gospel account.
These include love (1 John 3:11-15; 4:7-12; see John 3:16; 15:9-13) and light (1 John 1:5-7; 2:8-11; see John 1:9-13; 8:12; 9:5), both of which have been perfectly represented in the person of the Savior, Jesus Christ.
John also mirrors his gospel by opening his letter with a statement of the incarnation of Jesus—the Son of God, who has come in the flesh (1 John 1:1-4; see John 1:1-5).
While John’s writings contain many eternally important ideas, the concepts of love and light continually bubble to the surface as he seeks to describe both who Christ is and what He came to bring.
He’s the Son of God, who came to penetrate the world’s darkness with His perfect light and to heal the brokenhearted with His perfect love. As we yield to Him, God grows His character in us, and we become more and more like Jesus.
Bill Crowder
APPLICATION
In what way do you long to be like Jesus? How can you cooperate with His work in your life?
PR’s (Pastor Richard) RE-EMPHASIS (From Today’s Post)
“Becoming like Jesus is a transformational process—a metamorphosis—of God growing His character in us as we yield to His ways.”
PR’s TAKE
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Being a Christian is more than just an instantaneous conversion. It’s a daily process whereby you grow to be more and more like Christ.” Billy Graham
“The man who is deeply disconnected with himself is probably growing fast into the full likeness of Christ.” Charles Spurgeon
PRAYER
“Oh, God, how I want to be like You! Please have Your transformative way in my heart.”
TODAY’S HYMN/WORSHIP/PRAISE/GOSPEL SONG
“FROM GLORY TO GLORY” Sinach
We are perfect in You
We praise Your name
We are complete in You
We bless Your Name
For upon us is Your glory and Your grace
And upon us is Your beauty and Your life
For upon us is Your glory and Your grace
And upon us is Your beauty and Your life
From glory to glory
You are taking us
From glory to glory
You are taking us
He’s taking me higher
He’s taking me higher
He’s taking me higher
From glory to glory
From glory to glory
God is taking me
From glory to glory
God is taking me
