More Like Jesus (part 4)

09/22/12 More Like Jesus (part 4) As we have seen, being conformed to the image of Christ begins on the inside. So let’s think about our ‘inner man’ for a moment. The inner man is the real you; it is where all your thoughts are. For the one who has not been born again (lost) the inner man is full of thoughts that are self-centered and selfish and are ungodly and demonic. His mind is full of chaos and darkness and, as far as God is concerned, he is spiritually dead. When a person has been born again (saved) the living Savior comes into this chaotic and darkened mind and gives His life to them. He brings order from the chaos and dispels the darkness with light. In Eph.3:16ff Paul prayed that the inner man would be strengthened for the purpose of comprehending and knowing the love of Christ and to be filled with His Spirit. All of it begins in the inner man – the real you. If you desire to be like Jesus it must begin with the real you. What goes on inside of you, if you dwell on it long enough, will in all probability express itself on the outside. So if you want to be like Jesus you must think like Him. To do that we must have a steady intake of God’s word. When your heart is seeking to be like Jesus and you meditate on the word things inside you begin to happen. The Spirit of Christ takes the Word of God and begins to tear down everything that doesn’t exalt the Lord. He brings every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. (2Cor.10:4) The Lord changes you from the inside out. We must be quiet and still as we SLOWLY read our Bibles and meditate on what God has said and is saying to us. God will begin to accomplish His will and purpose in your life. You will begin to be more like Jesus. When was the last time you read your Bible? When was the last time that you heard from God? Is it really the greatest desire of your heart to be like the One who died for you? Could you prove it? How often do you really think about God? Prayer: Father, Take your sword (God’s word) and cut down anything in my life that doesn’t exalt You and fill we with your Holy Spirit. I want to think and live like my Lord Jesus. Right now I offer myself to You. In Jesus name amen.