I remember very vividly, some years ago, that the question which perplexed me as a younger Christian (and some of my friends as well) was this: what is God’s purpose for His people? Granted that we have been converted, granted that we have been saved and received new life in Jesus Christ, what comes next? Of course, we knew the famous statement of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: that man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever: we knew that, and we believed it. We also toyed with some briefer statements, like one of only five words – love God, love your neighbour. But somehow neither of these, nor some others that we could mention, seemed wholly satisfactory. So I want to share with you where my mind has come to rest as I approach the end of my pilgrimage on earth and it is – God wants His people to become like Christ. Christlikeness is the will of God for the people of God.

So if that is true, I am proposing the following: first to lay down the biblical basis for the call to Christlikeness: secondly, to give some New Testament examples of this; thirdly, to draw some practical conclusions. And it all relates to becoming like Christ.

Read it all.

Filed under: * Anglican - Episcopal • * Theology • Pastoral Theology

1. Pageantmaster [Pray for +Mark Lawrence] wrote: How the Holy Spirit shows us and our church the way forward as His church - a pattern for us to follow - and not rocket science. With thanks for JS’s ministry. August 1, 8:11 pm | [comment link]

2. Lapinbizarre wrote: Sorry to be the Style Police all over the place tonight, but there’s a typo in the headline of the linked piece on Stott.  It should read Keswick, rather than the slightly inelegant Kewsick. August 1, 8:43 pm | [comment link]

3. Jimmy DuPre wrote: Is this an example of Law; or Gospel. Romans 7 August 2, 6:46 am | [comment link]

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