by Pastor Daniel

Introduction
As we pass the first half of the year, we are now dwelling on the theme “More like Jesus”.  We are to be more and more like Jesus in the way we live for several reasons.  Firstly, we are redeemed from sin and have become new in Christ Jesus.  The lives we live today is having Christ in me.  Then, we know that in the Spirit of God, we are now empowered to live in His fruit - because we are His workmanship created for good works.  We also realize that we are to be witnesses for Christ so that by our fruits, others will know Jesus as well.
 
Despite all these “knowledge” we have, how do we reflect on this new life in Christ that we possess?
 
Remember God’s Plan
Both in the Old and the New Testament, there is the plan of God for us being propounded.  What is this plan?
 
From the Old Testament, Jeremiah in his prophecy says, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  Though these words are given to Israel as a nation, we are the new Israel.  In many ways, this plan is in reality and in motion.
 
Is it not true that God has given us a new plan for our lives?
 
From the New Testament, the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:28-29, “And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.  For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son...”
 
In 1 Samuel 2:30, God tells you, “I will honor those who honor me.” To honor means “to highly esteem, promote, exalt or lift up.”  In 1 Peter 5:6: “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.” God has been working in lifting us up and honoring us.  
 
Psalm 113:6-8 says, “Who looks far down on the heavens and the earth? He raises the poor from the dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap, to make them sit with princes, with the princes of his people.”
 
Realizing your Present State
Let us take a look at the above on a personal plane.  How has God lifted you up in the past to what you are today?  To some, it was poverty where God lifted you up from your financial woes.  To others, it is the dumpster of family problems and brokenness.  To others still, the pain of physical sickness.  Some may be the rut of personal mess that we made before coming to God.
 
Then, let us look at our present state - how God has honored us.  We have a great career.  We have a family who looks to God and worships Him.  We have children who are so blessed by God in their studies, in their careers and in their families.  We have friends and families (of the church) whom we know we can call upon in times of need.  Have we not been blessed and honored?  Surely we have and we can always thank God.
 
Recognizing the Power God
Our reflection is about our life in Christ.  Man’s habitat is only in God and there is where we are blessed, honored and empowered.
 
Yes, but remember, you and every other believer are “in Christ.” You were raised up and seated together in heavenly places in Him (Ephesians 2:6). Also, if you have received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, then you have access to the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. As a Spirit-filled, Bible-believing, faith-filled Christian, you have access to:
 
The same power that lifted Jesus out of hell
The same power that transformed His body and flooded it with the life and the glory of God
The same power that exalted Him to the highest place of honor heaven has to offer!
 
Moreover, that power doesn’t only affect your spirit or simply transform your spiritual life.  God lives in you.  Rom 8:11, “The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.”
 
Conclusion
This is the reason why we are to be more and more like Jesus.  This is where our lives begin and end.  May we be transformed and be conformed to the image of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.