Not enough like Him?

"I wish I had her looks."

"It must be nice to be rich like that family."

"If only I had that child's simple faith, I would have less stress."

Who do we aspire to be like?

Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, "Sir, we wish to see Jesus." John 12:20-21

Do we want people to also see Jesus?

Or do we hope that they'll notice us?

Jesus spoke with some Jews who were persecuting Him and trying to kill Him, John 5:16, 18

"I do not receive honor from men." John 5:41

He then said, "How can you believe, who receive honor from one another, and do not seek the honor that comes from the only God?" John 5:44

Do we want the honor that comes from God the Father or that which may come from people?

Maybe we want both.

Should we want what the Holy Spirit does?

Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would testify of Him John 15:26 and glorify Him. John 16:14

Should we desire to do what the Bible does, too?

Jesus said, "You search the Scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life; and these are they which testify of Me." John 5:39

Jesus said, "Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father; there is one who accuses you—Moses, in whom you trust. For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote about Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?" John 5:45-47

So, if we communicate about the Lord Jesus Christ to testify of John 15:27; Acts 1:8 and glorify Him, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 should we strive to have His character in us?

Why might this be important?

For one, we don't want people to see another Jesus 2 Corinthians 11:4 or get another gospel. Galatians 1:6-7

They might, if OUR CHARACTER doesn't have enough of His. Luke 13:7; Galatians 5:22-26; Ephesians 5:8-10

There may be a disconnect --

"You talk about Jesus, how He lived and what He taught, but you don't act like Him or talk like Him very much."

It's a process to develop His character in us, isn't it? 1 Corinthians 13:4-7; Ephesians 4:1-3, 11-16; Philippians 4:8-9; Colossians 1:9-11; 2 Peter 1:2-11; 3:18

If we take the time to examine ourselves, 2 Corinthians 13:5 we might say honestly, "I needed more of Your love, joy, and peace when I talked with that phone representative last night. Forgive me, Father." 1 John 1:9

Let's believe with Paul that the Father Who has begun a good work in us will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:6

Because the fruits of righteousness are by Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:11

Your thoughts?

R. Jason