As unlikely as it may seem, Rick Warren insists it is true – God wants persons
to become like Christ.
“You were created to become like Christ,” Warren insists in “The
Purpose-Driven Life,” his best-selling study book. “From the very
beginning, God’s plan has been to make you like his son, Jesus.
Note: The Louisiana Baptist Convention currently is engaged in a pilot program
to use “The Purpose-Driven Life” study by Rick Warren in several churches.
Plans call for use of the study to be expanded statewide next year. As part
of that effort, the Baptist Message is presenting a series of articles based
on Warren’s book. This week looks at the third of five life purposes in
the book.
C. Lacy Thompson, LBM Associate Editor
As unlikely as it may seem, Rick Warren insists it is true – God wants persons
to become like Christ.
“You were created to become like Christ,” Warren insists in “The
Purpose-Driven Life,” his best-selling study book. “From the very
beginning, God’s plan has been to make you like his son, Jesus.
“This is your destiny.”
It also is one of the five purposes of life, says Warren, pastor at Saddleback
Church in Lake Forest, a Southern Baptist congregation and one of the largest
in the nation.
Of course, all people bear the image of God, Warren explains. But that image
is incomplete and has been distorted by sin.
“So, God sent Jesus on a mission to restore the full image that we have
lost,” Warren says. “(And) What does the full ‘image and likeness’
of God look like?
“It looks like Jesus Christ!”
That is what God wants for each person – to develop godly character, to grow
spiritually and become like Christ, Warren says.
The process is known as sanctification – and it is only accomplished through
the power and work of the Holy Spirit, he adds.
“Christlikeness is not produced by imitation but by inhabitation,”
Warren emphasizes. “We allow Christ to live through us. (Author’s
italics)
At the same time, individuals must cooperate with the Holy Spirit, Warren continues.
They must act and choose to let go of old ways, to change the way they think
and to develop new, godly habits.
As they do, God will use his Word, people and circumstances to help mold a
person, Warren says. It will be a long, slow process of growth, he notes.
“Spiritual growth is not automatic. It takes an intentional commitment.
You must want to grow, decide to grow, make an effort to grow and persist in
growing.”
It begins with one’s commitments and changing the way one thinks, Warren
says.
“Change always starts first in your mind,” he stresses. “The
way you think determines the way you feel, and the way you feel influences the
way you act. … To be like Christ, you must develop the mind of Christ.”
This means one must stop having immature, self-centered, self-seeking thoughts
and start having mature thoughts that focus on others, Warren explains.
“The Christian life is far more than creeds and convictions; it includes
conduct and character,” he notes. “Our deeds must be consistent with
our creeds, and our beliefs must be backed up with Christlike behavior.
“Christianity is not a religion or a philosophy but a relationship and
a lifestyle. The core of that lifestyle is thinking of others, as Jesus did,
instead of ourselves.”
Essentially, spiritual growth involves replacing lies with truth, Warren insists.
That is accomplished through a day-by-day abiding with the Word of God, he
adds. That means accepting the authority of the Bible in one’s life; assimilating
its truths and filling one’s mind with it; and applying its principles
within one’s life.
“The Bible must become the authoritative standard for my life, …”
Warren notes. “The Bible must always have the first and last word in my
life. …
“(But) It is not enough just to believe the Bible; I must fill my mind
with it so that the Holy Spirit can transform me with the truth. …Receiving,
reading, researching, remembering and reflecting on the Word are all useless
if we fail to put them into practice.”
In addition to the Bible, God also uses circumstances and problems to develop
one’s character, Warren says. Problems are designed to help draw one closer
to God and force one to look to him and depend on him.
However, one must respond correctly to them, he says. That involves remembering
that God’s plan for one’s life is good, giving thanks that God will
use whatever problem exists to fulfill his purposes and refusing to give up
on the growth process, Warren notes.
“Character building is a slow process,” he emphasizes. “Whenever
we try to avoid or escape the difficulties in life, we short-circuit the process
(and) delay our growth.”
God also uses temptation to help one grow, Warren adds, noting each temptation
represents an opportunity to make a good choice, to grow in the character of
Christ.
“This next sentence is one of the most important spiritual truths you
will ever learn – God develops the fruit of the Spirit in your life by allowing
you to experience circumstances in which you’re tempted to express the
exact opposite quality!” he says “Character development always involves
a choice, and temptation provides that opportunity.”
Warren outlines a number of steps for overcoming temptation, urging persons
to refuse to be intimidated; to recognize one’s pattern of temptation and
be prepared to avoid vulnerable situations; and to request God’s help in
the midst of temptation.
“Temptations keep us dependent upon God, …” he notes. “Instead
of giving in or giving up, look up to God, expect him to help you and remember
the reward that is waiting for you – ‘When people are tempted and still
continue strong, they should be happy. After they have proved their faith, God
will reward them with life forever.’” (James 1:12, New Century Version)
Warren also reminds persons of four biblical keys to defeating temptation,
emphasizing there always is a way out of it.
The keys are:
• Refocus one’s attention on something else. Resisting a thought
is not enough, Warren says. That only strengthens it. The key is to focus on
something else, even if that means physically leaving a situation.
• Reveal one’s struggle to a godly friend or support group.
“Some problems are too ingrained, too habitual and too big to solve on
your own,” Warren says. “You need a small group or an accountability
partner who will encourage you, support you, pray for you, love you unconditionally
and hold you accountable.”
• Resist the devil. Warren reminds persons the devil cannot force
one to do anything. He only can suggest – and through Christ, such suggestions
can be denied.
• Realize one’s vulnerability. “Given the right circumstances,
any of us are capable of any sin,” Warren warns. “We must never let
down our guard and think we’re beyond temptation. Don’t carelessly
place yourself in tempting situations. Avoid them.”
In addition, remember – change and growth take time, Warren adds.
There are no shortcuts – and the process of becoming like Christ takes a lifetime
as one learns and develops key habits, he says.
But at every point in the process, it is important to remember that God is
at work in one’s life – even when it does not seem like it, Warrens insists.
Nevertheless, one must be patient and not get discouraged.
“Remember how far you’re come, not just how far you have to go,”
he concludes. “You are not where you want to be but neither are you where
you used to be. …
“God isn’t finished with you, … so keep on moving forward.”