“Oh, To Be Like Thee”

Jeremy Northrop

            Most people in life have a hero. Someone who, in their own minds, they place on a pedestal, looks up to them, and, in many ways, strives to be like them. This person is a mentor, example, or pattern for them to follow. One can almost hear a young boy say, “I want to be just like my Daddy when I grow up.” To many students, it may be a high school teacher, college professor, or someone else who has had a profound influence in their lives. Just about everyone has a hero.

            Christians, too, have a hero. Christians are to try to be like God. Often times, they will sing the words which serve as a title to this article, “Oh, To Be Like Thee.” The Bible teaches that Christians are to be like God. Philippians 2:5 says, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” The passage goes on to vividly show Jesus is Deity or God. In John 13, when Jesus was in the upper room with his disciples, he did something truly amazing. He got down on his knees and washed the disciples’ feet. Of course, the disciples were astonished at his actions. Peter even questioned him. Jesus brought the entire incident to a close when He said, “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15). Of course, the primary example of Christ on that day was that of humility. Still yet, there are other passages which teach Christ as the example or pattern for Christians to learn how to live (see 1Peter 2:21). Christians need to strive to be like God.

            In order to be more like God, Christians must have a different mind-set, a different out-look, and a different life-style. Those three components of life have a successive nature to them. One cannot hope to change their life-style, think that will then change their out-look, and in the end have a different mind-set. Being more like God, rather, requires that one first change their mind, work up to changing the way they see the world, and then, based on those two things, they will have a different life-style. It is also interesting that the mind-set, out-look, and life-style include everything about the Christian. Thus, when a Christian decides to be like God, it will require a complete life change. Finally, the thrust of these three components is that they must be different. The Christian must have a different mind-set, a different out-look, and a different life-style. Paul said, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). He told Titus Jesus, “…gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works” (Titus 2:14). When Christians strive to be more like God, they must accept the fact that they will be different from the world (see John 15:19).

            The first change which must take place if Christians are to be more like God is the changing of the mind. First, the Christians mind must not be set on things. Jesus said, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:19-21). Someone once said, “The most important things in life … aren’t things.” The Christian must be focused on spiritual matters. It is not about the amount of things or possessions one can obtain in a year but rather about a person’s personal relationship with God. The Christian must think about the souls of people and their walk with God.

            Christians must also change their out-look if they are going to be more like God. Jesus was able, in a masterful way, to look past the circumstances of individuals and see their eternal souls. It is so easy for people to view a person based on the possessions they have. Yet, God wants His people to seek the lost. The great commission rings clear: “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20). Also, the Christian needs to be looking not inward but upward. Paul said, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” (Colossians 3:2). When Christians are looking to Jesus, they are not distracted by the world (Hebrews 12:1).

            Finally, the Christian must have a different life-style. It is an obedient life-style. It is a submissive life-style. Peter said the Christian is to live for righteousness or Christ (1Peter 2:24). The Christian is no longer living for self but for God and by implication for others. This is the natural culmination of the previous two points. When Christians change their mind-set and their out-look, then they will have a different life-style. John exhorted his reader to “walk in the light” (1John 1:7). The idea of walking is a continuous action and is John’s poetic way of saying the Christian must live for God. Jesus told the rich young ruler to give up all that he had and follow after Him (Mark 10:21). It is not enough for a person to come to Jesus. He must live faithfully no matter the cost (see Revelation 2:10). Jesus requires that the Christian’s entire life be dedicated to Him.