which sanctify you, am holy."(Leviticus 21:8 KJV).

"Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God." (Leviticus 20:7 KJV).

"But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: (1 Corinthians 1:30 KJV)."

Is it easy to emulate Jesus? In my roller coaster life (I can't speak for others), it has been a lifetime of victory and praise but also times of confession and remorse. (Romans 8:35-39; James 4:6-10; 1 John 1:9).

There were times when Psalm 51 was in my face all the time. But again, as I said earlier, I may have some skeletons in the closet, but Jesus still has me in the oven because those skeletons belong to the dead. I'm alive in Jesus! Praise God!

The journey of transforming our thoughts, character, and actions to reflect the image of Christ is walked on that narrow road of righteousness. This walk involves turning away from worldly road where Satan inhabits.

True born-again Christians must set patterns different from the world's devilish transforming ways that leads to spiritual death. Christians must allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate virtues like love, patience, and obedience in us.

Applying scriptures about conforming to Jesus requires daily, intentional habits that allow the Holy Spirit to change your heart and mind. Sometimes the flesh can act like a roadblock to spiritual growth if we allow it.

Please train yourself by getting in the habit of reading passages in your Bible (especially the four gospel's). Please read these words into your spirit. Olympic athletes train diligently to perform at their best during contest.

"For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:29 KJV).

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2 KJV).

Christians must strive to walk in the spirit. Jesus told us to let our light shine (which is really his light) before everyone. Growing means not hiding your light when all your unsaved friends come around. (Luke 12:8-12). Always keep distance from your former self.

47} "The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48} As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.

49} And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." (1 Corinthians 15:47-49 KJV).

I would say this is our main text passage for today's message. "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." (2 Corinthians 3:18 KJV).

When you observe yourself in the mirror, is there anything you can contribute to Jesus where you have become transparent so others can see Christ in you, the hope of his glory? Maybe it's your speech. Maybe it's your kindness.

Maybe it's your giving. Maybe it's your strong willingness to forgive those who have wronged you. See if something in you has been found in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. (Matthew 5-7). We cannot be transformed from glory to glory.

All born-again Christians will appear at the "Judgement Seat of Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:10). Those who reject Jesus and salvation and refused to be changed by his love will not be at this meeting.

 

🗣📢 Last words: Before we close for the day, let's look at some more reasons to conform to Jesus and abstain from the world's polluted lifestyles. The world tries to copy religion, but it is a deceptive light. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

Believe me beloved, there are people being transformed by deceptive religions where they think they can have their cake (sweet Jesus) and eat it to. (sin-the world). But Satan offers all kinds of false religions today.

5} "But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6} He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:5-6 KJV).

19} "My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you, 20} I desire to be present with you now, and to change my voice; for I stand in doubt of you." (Galatians 4:19-20 KJV).

Please read (1 Peter 1:13-15) into your spirit, family, or study group. Christians should always encourage their brothers and sisters in Christ to not conform to their unsaved friends’ habits. We must remember who is the greater influence.

Here are some practical things you can pray about and see if the Holy Spirit will guide you into some of these habits that can cause you to conform to Jesus on the inside so you will reflect him outwardly. Everything starts inside out.

Religion tries to do it the opposite way. Let's do a recap in these practical ways to be a twin of Jesus. I certainly wouldn't be surprised if everyone in heaven looked like Jesus in their faces but still knew who everyone was (1 John 3:2).

🚫 Stay Renewed. Audit all the things that might try to trip you up. Check out your media consumption. Identify TV shows, podcasts, and social media magnets that pull at your spirit. It's been said social media is unreal. Look out!

🚫 Replace those nagging conforming things that make you look unholy with scripture. The Bible is like receiving a new makeover kit. You take it home and memorize a verse or two each day. You can write them in your phone or notes.

❓️Reflect daily. Spend five minutes every morning reading a passage from the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) to study how Jesus thought and reacted around others and when he was alone with his Father.

❓️Pause before responding. When faced with an annoying situation, wait five seconds or so before speaking or reacting. Allow the Holy Spirit to help you. Ask yourself, "Does this reflect the love, honesty, and humility of Jesus?"

🚫 Model his boundaries. Notice how Jesus pulled away from crowds to pray during his ministry. Jesus told his disciples to stay away from the religious Pharisees. Christians should avoid false doctrines but pray for them.
 

Schedule uninterrupted quiet time each day between you and God. Seek after those Moses in the mountain moments when you can. Yes, spouses and children will cut into it, but they are your ministry also.

🚫 Yield to the Holy Spirit. You might start your morning by saying, "Holy Spirit, guide my steps, words, and thoughts today to match Jesus." Pretty simple, right? You can also review your day before bedtime.
 

Don't forget to thank God for the victories and just as I confessed my roller-coaster lifestyle this morning, you can also confess to God when you fall short. It's not like you can hide like Adam and Eve did, right?

🚸 Embrace some pruning. When someone offers constructive criticism, listen without defending yourself immediately. Ask God if there is truth (Jesus) you need to hear. Did you know God can use unbelievers to speak to you

🌎 🚫 Resist Worldly Pressures. Always create some kind of escape plan. Remember beloved, there's no shame in running from sin. Police officers run toward dangers, but Christians can run away from sinful dangers.
 

You can either be like Joseph or David. Decide in advance how you will politely exit conversations or situations that lead to gossip or temptation.

🚸 Find accountability. Share your spiritual goals with a trusted friend at church or a Christian friend at work. Find outside Christian hobbies to build your relationships. Meet regularly to talk about your progress.

The younger members might have to search for the video to these lyrics. "Sometimes I dream that he is me, you've got to see that's how I dream to be. I dream I move, I dream I groove, Like Mike, If I could be like Mike.

Oh, if I could be like Mike, the way you move, the way you groove, If I could be like Mike, Oh, if I could be like Mike, if I could be like Mike!" After what Jesus did for me, I'd like to replace Mike with the name "Jesus!" Sounds Good, Amen?

As you step back into your week, let the love of Jesus be the compass that guides your words, and may your life be a living reflection of his image.


🛐 Here’s a prayer you can pray to conform to that loving image. "Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing to me how I resemble the world more than you. Lord, my life at times is like those lint roll up tapes.

It seems the dirt of sin keeps trying to shape me into corrupt dust of the earth instead of your cleansing hands that mold me into your image. Jesus, only the Holy Spirit can make me over to be like you. I know there are no substitutes.

I long to say no to being conformed to the pattern of this world and yes to being conformed to the image of your Son. Break into my heart this morning and conform me to you. Take away my own foolish plans and give me you.

I need your joy, peace, wisdom, and purity. Where I am empty, fill me with your grace. Help me to walk differently in this world, that I might reflect your light in all I do. Help me only emulate you, In Jesus' name, Amen."


❤ "If you would like to know Jesus as your Savior, please read the drop-down page entitled "How to know Jesus."


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🙏 Please remember to pray for the people in Israel. They are God's people because of his covenant promises to them. (Genesis 12:1-3; Numbers 6:22-27; 24:8-9). ✝️



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