When a person accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior, they become, not a better person, but a brand new person.  2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”  Our old position as Hell deserving sinners before God is gone.  We are brand new people.  To the believer (the one who is saved), Romans 6:4 says that “we also should walk in newness of life.”  We have a new life and we should live differently than before.

1 Peter 1:14-16 says, “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”  When we are saved, we become the children of God (John 1:12).  We should be obedient children and follow the teachings and examples of our Lord.  Because Christ is holy, we should live holy lives.  The Apostle Peter goes on to tell us in 1 Peter 2:9, “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.”  In God’s eyes, through faith in Christ, WE ARE HOLY.  We are called upon to live lives that reflect that holiness.  In doing this, we ‘shew forth the praises of him who what called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.”  We honor Him when we follow the example of Christ and live holy lives.

2 Corinthians 5:20 teaches us that “we are ambassadors for Christ”.  As believers, we represent our savior in a world that has despised and rejected Him.  Christ has left us examples of how we are to live in this world.  1 Peter 2:21-24 says, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”  In this, we see that the Lord lived a sinless life.  He had no guile in His mouth, which means He never deceived anyone.  When he was reviled, or hated, He did not hate in return.  When He suffered injustice, He did not threaten or wish God’s wrath upon anyone.  He simply left that in the hands of His Father.  The death of Christ has enabled us to live righteous lives!  In all this, we see the overwhelming characteristic of LOVE in our dear savior.  To be Christ-like, we must illustrate that same love to others.  Ephesians 5:2 says, “And WALK IN LOVE, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”

IN PERFECT LOVE, THERE IS ALWAYS HATE.  One writer has said, “To be a good Christian, a man must be a good hater!”  Romans 12:9 tells us to “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.”  The love we show must be pure and without hypocrisy.  We must abhor, or HATE everything that is evil and contrary to the Lord.  King David gave similar instruction in Psalm 97:10, “Ye that love the LORD, hate evil…”  These are powerful words.  It’s not enough that we should stay away from evil and be drawn to what is good.  This involves more than our actions, this speaks of the very desires of our hearts.  We should HATE evil.  We should CLING to good.  This is Christ-like!

These are but a few brief thoughts as to how we might like Christ-like lives.  I encourage you to spend time in God’s Word daily, learning of the Lord.  The more we learn about our blessed savior, the more we see the example He has left for us to follow so that we might honor Him.  Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”  (214.8)