your character becoming more in line with the character of Jesus.
amen ! ! ! Thank you
I understand that our character is how we really are, and this has a lot to do with what we are capable of doing, if we can submit to how God rules us in His peace (Colossians 3:15), plus how well we can relate as family in His love (Ephesians 4:2, Ephesians 4:31-32).
And you quoted scripture which says not to do anything because of conceit or rivalry. Yes, the disciples could get in a fuss about who was the greatest of them. We need to first love and be humble.
But Jesus never gave up on those men who were competitive and comparing. And this is our example of how to keep caring for others, and not to give up on anyone.
So, yes as your other scripture says, we have Jesus as our example, of how to be pleasing to our Father and how to love and not give up on anyone.
"And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5:2)
Even on the cross, Jesus was so sweetly pleasing to our Father. Because His nature was so and circumstances could not change this. So, yes we need to grow in the character of Jesus, and this has us becoming more and more pleasing the way Jesus is.
@Neostarwcc > Ones might ask > what if you get saved but you do not live like this in God's love? I would say make sure you really have trusted in Jesus on the cross for salvation, and know God is committed to making this work well. And trust God to have you doing better, which does come with growing and correction > Hebrews 12:4-14. And please do not dwell on the issue of what will happen if you don't do this; but give your attention to trust God who is our Good Judge, to do what He knows is right for each of us.