Two Views on Christianity - to Strive or Not Strive to 'Be like Christ' - that is the Question

Little did I know that a recent phone conversation between myself and my oldest brother Alfonso Coley, would become the basis for what first, became a semi-heated debate about people who claim they are 'trying to be like Christ' and ultimately, the basis of this Christian-based, op-ed column, but hey, stranger things have happened in my life.

After chatting briefly with my brother who lives approximately 1,100 miles away from me and sharing some information about a conversation I recently had with my Buddhist-believing daughter Erica, I clearly made my brother very perturbed by saying I was trying to 'be like Jesus' in my dealings with my oldest child.

Boy, did those words ever set off a firestorm with my oldest brother who immediately informed me that he was "tired of hearing people claim they wanted to be like Jesus."

Shocked at his indignation over such an innocent statement, my brother and I began a lengthy conversation/debate over certain aspects of Christianity, mostly the fact that people who claimed they wanted to "be like Jesus" were foolish for trying to become something they could not attain in this lifetime and something Jesus never said they should try to become in the first place according to my brother.

Before I get into the entire basis of my article which claims that Christian followers who are, "trying to be like Jesus" have embodied the principles of Christianity perfectly, I want readers to view my brother's article which can also be read online at:

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/1196732/be_like_jesus_or_walk_like_christ_according.html?page=3&cat=

Here is a look at Alfonso Coley's article in its entirety, followed by my own op-ed column concerning my feelings on "Trying To Be Like Jesus."

Be like Jesus or Walk like Christ According to the Bible: Scripture Guidelines
By Alfonso Coley

Throughout my Christian life I have had many conversations with many people from various backgrounds and every walk of life. Throughout my travel and conversation about Jesus, one main thing that has always been very disturbing to me and many other Christian faith groups, is the division on how people feel about this subject. The question is - should people strive to be like Jesus? In my research and endless conversations with many church members, Christian people, and people who are reaching out to Jesus, the discussion remains a hot topic of controversy. The only resource that I could draw from to give guidance on this delicate subject is none-other than the Holy Scriptures. No man or woman can actually be like Jesus - due to his divine eminence that God his father bestowed upon him. More-so as Christian men and women it would be better that we walk in Jesus footsteps and follow his instruction that he gave to all mankind.

The Holy Scriptures gives examples of how we should live our life as Christian people, beginning with these prolific Corinthian verses chapter1 - 1:31 "Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,

2: Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:

3: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

4: I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

5: That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;

6: Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

7: So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:

8: Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

9: God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.

10: Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

11: For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.

12: Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.

13: Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?

14: I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;

15: Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name.

16: And I baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I baptized any other.

17: For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect.

18: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

19: For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent.

20: Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

21: For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

22: For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom:

23: But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness;

24: But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.

25: Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

26: For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:

27: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;

28: And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are:

29: That no flesh should glory in his presence.

30: But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

31: That, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

The statements in these verses shed light on a most delicate and often misunderstood subject on our relationship with Jesus. During this time in history, God had given detailed instructions on how mankind should follow the word of Jesus and abide by his law. The Apostle Paul knew well what Jesus coming meant to their society and to the future of all mankind. Not only did the apostles know the importance of preaching and walking in Jesus footsteps, they also knew that no man or woman could ever be like Jesus. Because of Jesus Christ divine intervention, the love he so much sacrificed to save the world from obscurity, this may be even more reason to walk this life in humble humility.

Okay readers, the following column states my feelings on both, my conversation with my brother and his article, as well as the claim of Christian followers everywhere who say they are "trying to emulate Jesus Christ."

First of all Alfonso, isn't a 'Christian,' a follower of Jesus Christ?

And if you are a follower of Jesus Christ, aren't you called on to imitate the ways of Christ Jesus?

So, then, for any true Christian, isn't striving to be like Christ in every single way, the most compelling way to honor Christ?

Also, if a follower of Christ Jesus says he wants to "act" like Jesus and "be like" Jesus and "speak" like Jesus, as I did in our telephone conversation, would that not be the perfect example of Christianity?

While your words in your article that, "No man or woman can actually be like Jesus - due to his divine eminence that God his father bestowed upon him" are absolutely true in an earthly sense, as Christ Jesus was the only "sinless" man to ever walk the face of the earth - and every other living man has fallen short of the glory of God due to man's imperfect nature - isn't that what every Christian follower should be striving for - perfection?

I would think so!

Before moving forward with my thoughts on this subject, I must take issue with some of the words in your article.

First of all, I didn't know the question of whether people should or should not strive to be like Jesus was such a 'hot topic' as you claim, but hey, let's run with it anyway.

In your own words, you wrote, verbatim, "More-so as Christian men and women it would be better that we walk in Jesus footsteps and follow his instruction that he gave to all mankind."

First off, how can you and you alone decide which way would be better for people 'to walk in Jesus' footsteps?'

And aren't you contradicting yourself when you say that "it would be better we walk in Jesus' footsteps and follow his instructions that he gave all mankind," but then question whether people should strive to 'be like Jesus?'

Isn't the instruction that he left his disciples and followers, exactly how he lived his life here on earth?

Just because a Christian follower will never be 'perfect' here on earth does not mean that he or she should not "strive" for perfection - even if it is unattainable in an earthly sense. I would think that any man or woman that claims they are a follower of Christ Jesus and "wants to be like him in every way" has got the idea of Christianity down pat!

Are you saying that Christians should only strive to be like Jesus in 'certain areas' of their respective lives or only follow 'certain' Christian principles and not others?

I would believe it would be hypocritical for any 'true' Christian to think, 'I only want to imitate Jesus in the way he prayed and not the way he had compassion on others.' Or maybe, I'll only be a Christian on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.'

For any Christian follower that says they want to 'be like Jesus' or 'talk to other people like Jesus' or 'think like Jesus' or 'treat people like Jesus,' would be honoring their Christian faith in the utmost form, would it not?

And striving to 'be like Jesus' is a good thing, correct? Remember, just because perfection can not be reached in this lifetime, does it mean that Christian followers should lower their expectations of trying to 'be like Christ?'

This is one of the problems that non-believers have with people that claim they are 'Christians' but do not 'act like it' most of the time.

How can you claim that you are a follower of Christ Jesus and set a good Christian example to others if you are not 'putting on the cloak of Christ' as it says one should in scripture?

To set a wonderful Christian example and 'be like Christ' on Sundays only or, let's say, three days per week, but 'raise hell' the other four days a week while sinning in every way imaginable, is the problem that the Christian church has these days. People claim they are believers and followers of Christ, yet rarely act like it or only, when they choose to at their very whim.

While your vague Biblical scripture references pointed out not one single reason why followers of Christ should not try to "be like Christ" as you claim, since no man can achieve his sinless stature, here are several Bible scriptures that say all believers in the Christian faith should strive to be exactly like Jesus.

Matthew 10 contains Jesus' instructions on what it means to be His disciple.

Matthew 10:24-25 says, "The disciple is not above his teacher, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be like his teacher, and the servant like his lord.

"Go ... and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them ...
Luke 6:40--"A pupil [disciple] is not above his teacher; but everyone, after he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher" (NASB).
1 John 2:6--"He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked."
Colossians 3:16--"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly." We are to be dominated by Christ's Word so we become like Him.
I would believe Alfonso, that, striving to 'be like Christ' and saying you want to 'talk like Jesus' and 'act like Jesus' and 'treat others like Jesus' is a good thing and is very pleasing to Christ himself and the Father - God Almighty.

So, to answer your question as to whether or not Christian followers should say they want to 'be like Jesus' as the above scripture so clearly points out, all followers who claim they want to 'be like Jesus', 'talk like Jesus' and 'act like Jesus' have got the basic principles of Christianity 'down to a tee' and are firmly on their way to a never-ending life in eternity with Christ Jesus and the Father God Almighty!

As John 3:2 clearly states, "When [Christ] shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is."

Inclosing readers - and Alfonso - the next time you hear someone speak the words 'I want to be like Jesus' or 'I want to act like Jesus' or 'I try to treat people like Jesus did' my exact words to my brother whom I dearly love, shake his or her hand, give them kudos or a big 'ol hug, because they've got the idea of Christianity down pat!