Christ-Like Character

I’ve wanted to talk about having a Christ-like character as a follower of Christ for the longest time. I wanted to share some of those thoughts with you, to make you think about what else you can do to reflect the nature of Christ.

Many people’s view of Christianity is full of law and man-made rules. It doesn’t emphasize a relationship with Christ and values that you integrate in everyday life. Christianity is not just an appearance you show on Sundays. Christianity is an everyday lifestyle.

Understanding the value of a pure heart is something that I have not heard being stressed enough. Young people are conditioned to think that if they do something wrong, they’ll receive a punishment from God or that they’re going straight to hell.

The importance of compassion and purity is very hard to find, as it is not talked about enough. It is not being taught in Christian atmospheres that there is freedom from sin when you believe in Jesus and when you do sin, the Holy Spirit will help you come out of it, during your walk with Him. They don’t understand the value of living life to please God because they love and respect God, and the value of having a Father who is willing to help them through all phases in their life.

What does it mean to be a true follower of Christ?

The word “Christian” was used during the time of the early church to identify followers of Christ. That term stuck till this day. Christianity is how you think and conduct yourself as a person. As a follower of Christ, Christian values should influence every decision you make daily, as well as, the way you treat people. Remember “the golden rule” from Matthew 7:12, “whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law.” Treat people how you want to be treated. My mom always said, “Treat people as good as you are, not as bad as they are.” She would encourage me to grow from the situation that hurt me and be a better person, rather than letting it affect my emotions to act negatively towards the person.

In order to show Christ through your life, you also need to know what you believe. Read the Bible everyday and understand the truths behind each story. Don’t rely solely on listening to sermons, to know the word of God. The word of God will strengthen you when you feel weak in your spirit. “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, which things we [Paul] also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. But a natural man [unsaved] does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised,” (I Corinthians 2:12-14). We need to know the word of God to be able to integrate the truths in our daily lives. That is why it is so important to read the Bible and pray everyday.

Context is important.

In the name of correcting people, don’t throw scripture at them without understanding the context. For example, we should not read the passage where Jesus tells the rich young ruler to sell everything he has and follow him (Mark 10:21) and conclude that God wants us to sell all our possessions. Rather, learn the general principles from the specific situation in the narrative. In this passage, the young man idolizes his possessions over God. Hence, through this narrative we understand that we must put God first over anything else we desire in this world.

Approach each situation with kindness. You don’t know what people go through in their life. The last thing you want to do is add more baggage and stress them out.

John 13:34 says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” Understand the command that Jesus gives us, is to love everyone, no matter who they are. To love others, you have to experience the love of God first. You can understand His love by reading about the love He had for his people in the Bible and experience it through the goodness He showers in your life, as you believe in Him.

We should show Christ through our actions and life to be identified as a Christian. Be someone who can be identified as a follower of Christ, through the characteristics of Christ in you. Be someone who exudes love, joy and peace, just as Christ does (Matthew 9:36, Isaiah 9:6). Be someone who showcases the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) in your everyday life. That should be what people think of, when they think of a Christian. Change the mentality of people who think that people who claim to be followers of Christ are hateful, mean and judgmental. Remember, actions speak louder than words.

Christianity can be represented in any career. You cannot judge someone’s level of Christianity because of their career path. One can be an artist, singer, technician, farmer, engineer, doctor, salesman, or actor and still be identified as a Christian. Not just a pastor or preacher. Christianity is a way of life, reflecting the relationship you have with Jesus. All of us are called to be Christ-like and show God through our acts. Christ is the core of love and truth and that is what we should reflect in our life.

So, embrace the freedom you have in Jesus, who saved you from all your sins. Receive the love of Christ and spread it as much as you can, to all the people you encounter. Embed the word of God in your heart and keep it pure. Represent Christ in all aspects of your life and treat people the way you would like to be treated. That is the Christian lifestyle.