February 27


Being Like Christ


Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NKJV)


There is truth in this passage that can absolutely, positively rock your world—and mine. It involves true discipleship.

Whoa! Hold on. I'm not going to say what you think I'm going to say. Most Christians run when they hear someone say, “Let’s talk about discipleship!” The reason, I think, is because we relate discipleship to doing, i.e., we’ve got to do more to be good disciples. We’ve got to read our Bibles more, pray more, and witness, and go to church more often. Check, check, double check. Double wrong. Sounds right, but the assumption is wrong.

Discipleship is NOT about doing. It is about being. It is about being like Christ. For us, the essence of Christianity, of the Christian (literally, like Christ) is to develop the character of Christ in us.

To do this, we don’t do more, we do less. We ruthlessly throw off any weight, any obstacle, any distraction, any sin that keeps us from focusing on Christ. Because, as we look to Jesus, as we emulate Jesus, as we keep Jesus in focus, we change.

It's a big change. We become like Him. We become His disciples. Disciples that rock their worlds.


Father, help me, my family, my dearest friends to focus on Christ, to be faithful to the cause. Amen.