By Brother Matthew Henson
As I walk through life, engaging with people and considering how those people perceive me, I often wonder, “Do they see Jesus in me?” That is, are my actions Christlike. As we continue to study The Christ of Every Road: A Study in Pentecost, Brother E. Stanley Jones sets forth the argument that the Holy Spirit is Christlike. He writes, “If God is a Christlike God, then it follows that the Spirit is a Christlike Spirit. The same content of character will be in both. Then if the Spirit lives within us, he will not make us other than Christlike” (Page 63).
The Holy Spirit brings actual life to us which leads us to overcome fear, practice courage to live, and witness to the transformation the Spirit brings to us. Our words of witness are important, but they need to be confirmed with our actions. The word become word speaks philosophically and morally, which many religions of the world will claim. The word become flesh is the action and expression of that faith in a way that can be experienced.
In the New Testament, people were willing to accept Jesus as a good teacher. They struggled, though, with how he put those words into action. Consider the Rich Young Ruler in Luke 18 who comes to Jesus and says, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus engages with the man about keeping the commandments and the young ruler is overjoyed that he can confirm his obedience to those commands. Then Jesus says, “’One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow me.’” The man is overwhelmed with sadness at these words because he was extremely rich. He is unable to surrender at this level to follow Jesus.
Jesus’ call goes beyond our saying the “Sinners Prayer.” Jesus calls us to a life of surrender, where we are transformed and become more like Jesus as we mature in our faith. E. Stanley Jones writes, “To seek for the spirit to be made Christlike sends one to a self-surrender that leads straight to the heart of the gospel—a cross. Christ’s power lies in a cross: ‘If I be lifted up on the cross from the earth, I will draw [all people to myself—John 12:32].’ Our power lies in that same cross. Only those who know how to take up the cross for the world know how to move that world” (64).
The way we live our lives often speaks louder than our words. Our witness is the proclamation of God’s love for us and how Jesus died for our sins. Our witness is also a proclamation of the change the Holy Spirit is doing in us as we become more like Jesus.
Are your actions in line with your words? Are you surrendering your life each day and experiencing the reality of becoming more Christlike in your daily living and interaction with others? If not, surrender your life more fully to Jesus and invite the Holy Spirit to do a deeper work in your life.
Prayer: Lord, I want to be more like Jesus. I want my words and actions to be a proclamation of the Spirit’s work in my life. Forgive me when I try to do this life on my own, not surrendering everything to you. Thank you for your grace and mercy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
