To aspire is ‘to desire with eagerness’ as to aspire to be Christlike in nature.

Aspire to Value Christlikeness

When we value or highly esteem Christ, we aspire to be like Him. Christ came in love and obedience to His Father, and He came to serve us.

“Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me [following Me as My disciple], for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest (renewal, blessed quiet) for your souls.” ~Matthew 11:29 AMP

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, if anyone desires to by My disciple, let him deny himself [disregard, lose sight of, and forget himself and his own interests] and take up his cross and follow Me [cleave steadfastly to Me, conform wholly to My example in living and if need be, in dying, also].” ~Matthew 16:24 AMPC

Let us aspire to be like Christ by honoring and preferring others through loving acts of service.

“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you.” ~John 13:14-15 NASB

Aspire to Christlike Virtue

When we choose ‘voluntary obedience to truth’ without wrong motives, free of compulsion, then we exhibit the Christlike virtue of moral goodness. Yet, our moral goodness is based on Christ’s righteousness. If we base our moral goodness on anything we can accomplish in our strength, then we are self-righteous.

“For physical training is of some value (useful for a little), but godliness (spiritual training) is useful and of value in everything and in every way, for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.” ~1 Timothy 4:8 AMPC

Aspire to the Greatness of Christ’s Character

Moral goodness is based on character. Character defines specific qualities that mark us to be of a certain nature. When we say someone has the character of a cowboy, we immediately think of a person with a cowboy hat, cowboy boots, and a horse.

“Christian character is character lived out in the reverence for and respect for God, as opposed to simply honoring man. The fear of God is the starting place, it is our willingness to die to our own agendas, to die to our own conveniences.” ~Jack Hayford

When we aspire to have Christ’s character, we aspire to exhibit Christ’s humility, His Holy nature, truth, and love.

“And all of us, as with unveiled face, [because we] continued to behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [Who is] the Spirit.” ~2 Corinthians 3:18 AMPC

“By this we know [and have come to understand the depth and essence of His precious] love: that He [willingly] laid down His life for us [because He loved us]. And we ought to lay down our lives for the believers.” ~1 John 3:16 AMP

Recommendations

Hidden with Christ – Strength with Dignity

How to be Quick to Hear and Slow to Speak – Strength with Dignity

References

43 Bible Verses about Christlikeness. Published by Knowing Jesus. Retrieved June 22, 2023, from 43 Bible verses about Christlikeness (knowing-jesus.com)

Amplified Bible (AMP) Copyright 2015 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631.

Amplified Bible, Classis Edition (AMPC) Copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation.

Dailey, Jim. Developing Christlike Character. Published by Billy Graham Evangelistic Association on August 30, 2012. [Jack Hayford interview]. Retrieved June 22, 2023, from Developing Christlike Character (billygraham.org)

New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB 1995), copyright 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary. Retrieved June 22, 2023, from http://www.webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary

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Every Friday, I join an online Christian writing community, Five Minute Friday. The prompt this week is aspire.