On being/becoming Christ-like

[RickardoHolmes]

i have always wished to become Christlike but with a family its just not feasable...my interpretation is just to do the best you can without harming others ..if i was to become like christ who would look after and feed my children ...im sorry for the cop but ill suffer in hell before my children are harmed

It is not an Either /OR situation, at least the way I see it. What if becoming more Christ-Like made you a better father, a better role-model and a better example for your children? What if all this bestowed on you made you better able to provide for hem?

The Christ Within is a spiritual state. It does not require that you abandon ALL materialism, only that you focus and prioritize. Clearly, you will learn along the way that the Spiritual Life is more rewarding and more fulfilling. But this is not something that I can teach you, for you have to find that balance which works for you.

And no one is forcing you. It is an option, if you choose not to follow, we do not love you any less.

 

[Emmy]

Dear Iamblichus. I say this with love, it seems to me that you are seeing Christ-like as being without any strong feelings at all. May I first bring up the case where Jesus opposes the unholy dealings of the moneychangers in God`s House. It was not Anger what our Lord showed, it was Righteous Anger, against the DESECRATION that was happening in God`s House.
To become more like Christ is to Love God with our hearts, with our souls, and with our minds. ALSO, to love our neighbour as we love ourselves.
God made us all in His image, and God loves us all, and wants us all back again. Until we ourselves do insist that we do not want to return to God, our Heavenly Father, we have free will to try and become more and more Christlike and follow Jesus back to God. Until then we have every chance to Repent and to Be Born Again. When you really think about it, Iamblichus,
there is much time for you and many others to see the Light. Greetings from Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[andy b]

It is not an Either /OR situation, at least the way I see it. What if becoming more Christ-Like made you a better father, a better role-model and a better example for your children? What if all this bestowed on you made you better able to provide for hem?

The Christ Within is a spiritual state. It does not require that you abandon ALL materialism, only that you focus and prioritize. Clearly, you will learn along the way that the Spiritual Life is more rewarding and more fulfilling. But this is not something that I can teach you, for you have to find that balance which works for you.

And no one is forcing you. It is an option, if you choose not to follow, we do not love you any less.

thats pretty much to how i aim to live...i try to show love for my fellow man as well as compassion and i try not to judge...im also trying to read the bible on a regular bases to give me the courage of my conviction...my downfall is not giving as much as i should to good causes as i worry about providing for my kids...this is where i feel im not up to par as the lord tells us not to worry about tommorrow

 

[bling]

I don't know if I have it in me to love others unconditionally, nor am I sure if I could do so, that I would want to. Perhaps it is judgemental, but I cannot find it in my heart to love those who do horrible things.

Perhaps one day, I will desire an unconditional love for myself..., but I'm not sure I could will myself to extend my own love unconditionally, and isn't that at least part of what being Christ-like it about? If being Christian is partially following in the example of Christ isn't lacking the will/desire to follow his example a fundamental failure that suggests I should turn to other teachings?

You are making a very wise observation here.

Yes, no person has it “in themselves” nor can they “will themselves” to Love totally unselfishly and unconditionally anyone. This “love” is not something you develop, learn, earn, deserve or instinctively have. This Love comes only through accepting God’s Love as it is given as pure charity (Love).

God and Christ make you Christ like, but you still have free will to stop them or allow them.

This unbelievable “Love” comes to you only one way: Christ teaches us and we can know from our own experiences: “… He that is forgiven of an unbelievable huge debt (the one your sins created) will automatically Love with an unbelievable huge Love (a Godly type Love)…” The problem is believing you have created such a huge debt, believing God’s Love is great enough to forgive you, believing there is a way for you to be forgiven and humbling yourself enough to accept God’s pure charity (your forgiveness).

 

[ananda]

This has been hovering on the edge of my consciousness for a while, and I finally had a revelation of sorts today. While perhaps not an pleasant revelation I appreciate it for the explanatory power it has given me; I am a little uncomfortable about what it says about my character.

I find the idea of becoming Christ-like largely unappealing, while I acknowledge his sacrifice for humanity is admirable, it is not a process I would like to replicate Similarly I have no desire to find the humility and love required not to defend myself from aggression, nor am I convinced that finding the humility to live as a pacifist is an admirable choice. Additionally, I have no desire to provide charity for the homeless.

Where do you find your desire to become Christ-like? The desire comes naturally out of love and appreciate for Him and His love and sacrifice for me. Do you believe that you should try to embody his non-aggression and selfless nature? Yes, all faithful believers need to embody His qualities as diligently as possible.

(And as an aside, when your personal beliefs contradict those found in the bible what do you do?) Start changing my personal beliefs.

And perhaps most importantly, if you do find some of the lessons in the bible unacceptable, how do you keep to your faith? Again, I start changing my personal beliefs.