I don’t know about you but I want to follow Jesus. It should be straightforward, right? But somehow we have made it complicated. Following Jesus means we want to become like him. So being more Christlike is our goal. But how do we put all our efforts into becoming the better version of ourselves instead of becoming more like him? Well, my friend. That’s the question. In the words of Bob Goff “Our problem with following Jesus is we’re trying to be a better version of us rather than a more accurate reflection of him.”
What do you think? Isn’t this desire to become a better version of us what the world tries to tell us? Follow your heart and you find happiness, they try to convince us. But it does not work, I have to say. It just does not work no matter how hard we try.
Therefore if anyone is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. (2 Cor 5:17, AMP)
Following Jesus to Become like Him
But if we do follow Jesus, we will find happiness. I know that from experience. But how do we still try to become the better version of ourselves? It really is not our job but the Holy Spirit’s. Our job is to follow Jesus as closely as we can. Becoming Christlike should be our goal not becoming the better version of ourselves. Do you see the difference?
Jesus called the crowd together with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. (Mark 8:34, AMP)
We are not to fix ourselves. It is waste of time because little fixing doesn’t do it. We need to die to ourselves and be born again. So let’s stop trying to fix ourselves. No matter how many self-help books we read and try to make ourselves a bit better, it doesn’t make much difference. But when we surrender to Jesus and let the Holy Spirit do what needs to be done, it happens by the power of God’s grace.
So let’s not try to fix the old Adam/Eve. Let’s let the Holy Spirit reborn and renew us according to his plans for us. That’s the best thing that can ever happen to us. And that’s what I want. Let’s forget the self-reliant bettering of the old version of us. Instead, let’s go for what God has prepared for us.
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your amazing love and grace.
We surrender to you and want to follow you.
Lead the way, Lord!
We want to become like you.
Make it happen any way you want.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
P.S.
Isn’t it amazing how deep our old habits are buried? We really need to surrender to Jesus and take up our cross daily. Otherwise, we stay focused on ourselves, and that way we don’t get anywhere. But by following Jesus we will make it all the way home. Thanks be to God! Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you follow Jesus closely!