I think all of us feel a sense of wanting to be better than we currently are. Such is why we often set lofty goals for ourselves, and make New Year’s Resolutions. That’s why a lot of people go to church or special conferences, buy books from self-help gurus, or listen to podcasts.
I think most of us feel this inner drive to somehow better ourselves. We realize there is something about us that doesn’t quite add up. Taking inventory of our hearts and lives, we recognize unhealthy thoughts and actions, shortcomings, and sins that just seem to continually fester.
So we dream about who we want to become, make resolutions, will to change… and then fail spectacularly. We take 2 steps forward and 3 steps back. And we seem to be caught up in this vicious cycle that often leaves us disappointed in who we’ve become.
We Need A Model
I think we are in need of something more than just becoming a randomly better version of ourselves. Of someone who tries really hard to change one or two random things about themselves, with no definite end in mind. Such is the equivalent of trying to build a house by completing a random room at a time, with no idea of what the final outcome will be.
We are in need of a model. A human blueprint. Someone who we can fashion ourselves after.
In an episode of Parks & Rec, the character “Ron Swanson” hilariously tried to give a group of kids what he believed to be the ultimate model of humanity needed to follow. Namely, “The Swanson Pyramid of Greatness.”
Ron Swanson might be an interesting model to follow. But I believe the ultimate model that God has given us is that of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ Is Our Model
The Bible teaches that we are all created in the image and likeness of God. But through the sin that entered this world and plunged humanity into a great fall, that image has been marred.
Jesus Christ came into the world to be a second Adam, to restore what was lost in the fall by the first Adam. In His incarnation represents a new humanity, that He call all of us to participate in.
Jesus Christ is our prototype, a model of what God wants us to become. By modeling ourselves after Him, we become daily renewed into the image and likeness of God, the very likeness of God as demonstrated by Jesus.
Scriptures Referenced In Today’s Podcast
Romans 8:28 “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.”
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”
