Is It About Being ‘Like Jesus’ or Jesus Living in You?

Is It About Being ‘Like Jesus’ or Jesus Living in You?

Welcome to LifeAsGodIntended! Today, let’s tackle a profound question that many Christians grapple with:

  • Is the Christian life about striving to be “like Jesus”?
  • Or is it something far deeper—Jesus Himself living His life through us?

Let’s explore what it truly means to experience Christ’s life within us.

 

The Struggle to Be Like Jesus

For years, Christians have been encouraged to “be like Jesus”—to imitate His goodness, compassion, and love. But here’s the honest truth:

  • Can we, by our own human effort, truly become more like Jesus?
  • Or could God have intended something far greater?

Think of it this way: Imagine a child trying to imitate an Olympic gymnast. No matter how hard they try, their efforts fall short because they lack the ability and expertise of the gymnast. Similarly, no matter how much we try, our human attempts will always fall short of truly living like Jesus.

Illustration: A child trying to mimic a gymnast.

The Christian life isn’t about copying Jesus or attempting “good works” to meet a moral standard. It’s not about striving to act like Him. Instead, the Bible points us to something far more profound:

Jesus doesn’t want us to imitate Him; He wants to live His life through us.

 

What Scripture Teaches

Scripture reveals this life-changing truth: Jesus Himself, alive and risen, desires to express His life through us.

The Apostle Paul explains this in 2 Corinthians 4:10-11:

“…that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body…that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.”

Let’s break this down:

  • When we surrender to Jesus, His Spirit becomes active in us, guiding, inspiring, and empowering us.
  • This isn’t just a moral example to follow—it’s a dynamic, living presence within us.

Think about it: Trying to live as a “representative” of Jesus is like putting on a costume and acting out a role—you’re never truly the person you’re portraying. But when Christ lives in us, He’s no longer someone we try to mimic. Instead, He shapes our hearts, influences our decisions, and empowers us to live as God intended.

Illustration: Acting as a character versus living from Christ’s life.

 

Why Focus on Performance?

Why do so many Christians emphasize performance? For centuries, Christianity has often been reduced to a checklist of rules—things we “must do” to please God. But that approach misses the gospel’s heart:

Jesus rose from the dead not to inspire us from the past but to live in us today.

Consider this metaphor: a light bulb plugged into a power source.

  • The bulb doesn’t shine because it tries harder; it shines because it’s connected to the power source.
  • Likewise, we cannot live as God intended through our own effort. But when we’re connected to Jesus, His life flows through us naturally as we walk by faith.

Illustration: A light bulb glowing from its power source.

The Christian life isn’t about striving or checking off spiritual tasks. It’s about staying “plugged in” to Jesus, the true source of life. As Jesus Himself said in John 15:5:

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit…”

 

Recognizing Christ in You

Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 13:5 challenge us even today:

“Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you?”

For many, the answer might be, “No, I haven’t fully recognized that.” Why? Because we’re often taught to focus on external behavior rather than cultivating an inward relationship with Christ.

Here’s an example: Imagine being given a brand-new car but instead of turning on the engine, you push it from place to place. It’s exhausting and ineffective!

  • But when you turn on the engine, the car moves effortlessly.
  • Similarly, we’re not meant to push ourselves toward a “Christ-like” life. When Jesus “drives” our lives, we’re empowered to live as He intended.

Illustration: Pushing a car versus driving it.

 

The Difference Between Striving and Deriving

So, what’s the difference between being “like Jesus” and letting Jesus live His life through us?

  • It’s the difference between human striving and divine empowerment.
  • Jesus doesn’t ask us to “try harder” to follow His example. Instead, He desires to express His life through us, transforming us from the inside out.

We can’t be like Jesus through our own strength, but we can invite Him to live His life through us.

Let’s ask ourselves: Are we ready to stop striving and let Christ’s life flow in and through us?

Illustration: A person holding their hands open in surrender.

 

Conclusion

Thank you for joining me on LifeAsGodIntended! If today’s message touched your heart, I encourage you to:

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Remember, the Christian life isn’t about what we can do for Christ but about what Christ desires to do through us.

Until next time, walk in the freedom of His life within you!

 

Living the Victorious Life

Living the Victorious Life

Living the Victorious Life

Living the Victorious Life