If you are on the “40 days of Purpose” adventure with us, you will have passed the half way mark now.  You may be behind or ahead, but most importantly, make sure that you don’t just go through the book, but let the truth in the book go through you!

 This week’s purpose is entitled “You were created to become like Christ.”

There are definitely a lot of people who would not readily accept this as a “purpose” for their lives. There are so many other heroes and images to “become like.”  The question you and I need to answer is: Do I personally really accept this as a “purpose”? Am I committed to “Christ-likeness”?   Is Jesus the real hero I long to imitate, or is there another “image of this world” (Romans 12:2) or hero that I worship?   

 The early church was very committed to this purpose. In Acts chapter 11:26 we read that the Apostle Paul and Barnabus came to a place called Antioch and “…for a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.” 

Notice: They did not call themselves “Christians,” but those who observed their lives called them “Christians.”  How our world needs more of us to be called “Christians”! What a transformation there would be in our families, workplaces, neighbourhoods, campuses, schools – if more of us disciples would be called “Christians” because of the way we lived, loved, forgave, served, reacted, and showed the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives.

Remember: Let this attitude (approach, outlook, position, manner, stance, feelings, mind-set, thoughts) be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5)

 Let’s face it – we’ve got some changing to do!  My prayer this week is that we will become more and more “like Christ”- Not through sheer willpower, but through a heart surrender to God who “works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.”  (Philippians 2: 13)  

Its true: I may not be what I should be or could be, but I sure thank God that I’m not what I used to be!

For a reality check on emptiness/falseness of “the image of this world” check out this one minute Dove Advert on YouTube here.

On a 40 Days of Purpose adventure with you…