When we become Christians, God begins to transform us to become more like Jesus. The Bible says: ‘We all...are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit’ (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV). When people look at us, do they see Jesus? Would they want to know more about Him after meeting us? Jesus said, ‘Whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing.’ We can read about what Jesus did when He walked among us, but we need to go beyond reading and start living the way He did. So what was Jesus like? Firstly, He was compassionate, not condemning. When the Pharisees wanted to stone the woman caught committing adultery, He said, ‘Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!’ (John 8:7 NLT). He was the only one without sin and He wasn’t going to start judging the woman. Secondly, He was connected to God, and prioritised a relationship with Him – even to the point of saying ‘no’ to ‘ministry work’ when He needed to spend time with God. He made time to see the needs of those society had rejected, such as those with diseases like leprosy. We can read through the gospels and learn so much about how Jesus lived. But if we want a quick summary of how we should be living, we can turn to Galatians 5:22-23. In these verses nine ‘fruits’ (Christlike qualities) that the Holy Spirit wants to produce in our lives are listed. These are: ‘Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control’ (NLT). It might feel like an overwhelming list, but we don’t have to do it all on our own. The Holy Spirit works within us to develop these things. 

What Now?

Take some time to read through the accounts of Jesus’ life in the gospels. Write down as many characteristics of Jesus as you can, then ask God to help you develop in those areas.