Every Christ-follower I know has indicated a desire to grow in Christ-likeness. We ache for our character to be like His. We know both from Jesus Himself and Paul the Apostle that this is God's longing for us as well (Luke 6:40; Romans 8:29; Galatians 4:19).
Jesus' most outstanding and unusual feature was His ability to love His enemies. Nothing from His life revealed this like the crucifixion event. In allowing Himself to be tortured and crucified for the benefit of the very people who crucified Him, Jesus shows the depth of His love. It's a love that is unconditional (Romans 5:8), inexhaustible (Romans 8:38,39) and impartial (John 17:23).
Don't you want to be more like Him- more willing to turn the other cheek, go the extra mile, to serve the way Jesus served and love like He loved? I'll bet you do. So do I. How then can this happen? Much can be and has been written about this. Lately, I am finding my attention drawn to a particular text that shows us one of the ways this transformation into Christ-likeness takes place.
"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."
(2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV)
Do you see it? As we contemplate Jesus (the original language suggests that we continually "behold" in the way we look at ourselves in a mirror) we will experience transformation! In other words, take time each day to quiet yourself. Create a "sacred space" in your home where you can meet with God. Meet at a time when you won't be interrupted. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you turn your attention to Jesus. Ask the Spirit to awaken your ability to behold Jesus. It's been said that we become like what we behold.