Becoming more like Jesus

Becoming more like Jesus isn't something we do on our own, it's the work of the Holy Spirit. The practices we are going to focus on in the coming non-saints days throughout Lent are to support us in how to co-operate with what the Spirit is already doing in us.

Jesus in his human life and ministry was anointed with the Spirit, that is what the title "Messiah" or "Christ" means "God's Spirit-anointed king". Even though Jesus is God the Son, the Holy Spirit empowered Jesus in his Human Mission. So the spirit is called the Spirit of Christ and is in every way the same as Jesus in terms of priorities, values, mission, way of working and so on. We might say that the Spirit "carries" (or is "soaked with") the character, authority, humility, courage, mission, suffering and love of Jesus, and brings those things to characterize our lives.

Jesus then generously abundantly gives his Spirit to us, and this makes it possible to know God, to trust Jesus, to become like Jesus and participate in His mission. In other words, while Jesus is the example for us whom we are to imitate (e.g. in prayer, hospitality, serving or whatever), he is much more than an example. He includes us in his life (and victory and freedom) by the Spirit.

Everything involved in living as God's people in being disciples of Jesus, depends upon the enabling of the Spirit of God. This includes every element of what we will be looking at over the coming weeks. The Spirit teaches us, enables us and transforms us. So, we trust, expect and cooperate everyday with what the Spirit of Jesus is wanting to work in us, enabling us to be like Jesus.