Devotional for Christ-Like

When I was growing up, there were more than a few singers and actresses that I looked up to. I'm pretty sure there was a while when you could have found me walking outside my house, singing old-school Mariah Carey and Paula Abdul songs. I also would have traded places with Kelly Kapowski in a heartbeat. 

Aside from dating myself, my point refers to the saying, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

We often try to mimic and imitate the people we look up to. Little girls and boys want to be their favorite character and/or superhero. That progresses to celebrities and athletes. It then moves up to friends and older peers.

As adults, we still have people we look up to and attempt to be like. The friend who makes everyone feel good about themselves. The co-worker who always gets their work done. The church lady who knows everyone by name and prays for them diligently. Even the person from the Bible whose story moves you.

Are we good about trying to be Christ-like? Do we seek to imitate Him?

I'm not saying you can't have role models, but who's your biggest role model?

I will be the first to say mine has not always been Jesus. There have been times when I have allowed people, jobs, hobbies, etc., to get in the way of my relationship with Him.

Striving to be Christ-like requires purposeful, intentional thinking and behavior. It is an active way of living that takes effort and desire.

We all fall short of being Christ-like—daily. That doesn’t make you a hypocrite; it makes you a sinner saved by grace who’s still in process. The incredible news? You’re not left to copy Jesus in your own strength. The same Spirit who raised Him from the dead lives in you, slowly transforming you into His image from the inside out. Being Christ-like isn’t perfection today—it’s direction.

But I will work to be better. To know our Savior better through prayer and study of the Bible. I want to imitate Jesus as a form of praise, worship, and devotion. 

I pray that this is your desire as well!

In marriage and family life, being Christ-like looks like:

• Loving your spouse no matter their attitude—just like Jesus loves us
• Serving without keeping score, washing feet (or dishes) when no one notices
• Speaking words that give grace, even when you’re exhausted
• Apologizing first and fully, the way Jesus took the first step toward us
• Praying for your family with the same heart Jesus prays for you
• Letting your kids see you fail and run back to Jesus—that’s the best example you’ll ever give them

Take the time to read the Bible scriptures below and truly focus on what they are saying to you. Some passages may touch you differently than others. Writing down the verses in your own hand is helpful for some individuals. Possibly looking up the verses in your Bible may be beneficial. I use a NIV bible translation. Or reading them over and over to commit to memory. Whatever method works best for you to experience God’s words and feel closer to Him.

Romans 8:29-30

For those God foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

2 Corinthians 3:18

And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

Colossians 3:9-10

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

Ephesians 4:22-24

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

1 John 2:6

Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

John 13:12-15

When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Ephesians 5:1-2

Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

Galatians 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

1 Peter 2:20-21

But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.

1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.  And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.

Philippians 2:5-7

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.

John 15:9-11

“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

Here's a short prayer if you're struggling to find the words:

Father, I want to be like Jesus, but some days I’m so far from it. Thank You that You’re not finished with me yet. By Your Spirit, make me more like Your Son today—in the way I love my spouse, speak to my kids, and serve when no one sees. When I fail, remind me it’s Your kindness that leads me to repentance. Keep changing me until the world sees Jesus in me. In His name, Amen.

Try one of these today:

• Ask your spouse, ‘How can I love you like Jesus today?’—then do the first thing they say.
• Do one small, unseen act of service for your family.
• When you mess up today, say out loud in front of your kids/spouse, ‘I’m sorry—I want to be more like Jesus. Will you forgive me?’

I pray that this post meets you where you are today and helps to guide you to strive to be more Christ-like in all aspects of your life.

God bless!

Melissa