“Oh, to be like Thee! blessed Redeemer:
This is my constant longing and prayer.”

Do we understand the implications of this desire? To be like Jesus is a multi-faceted mission, to develop characteristics more like our Savior and to even conform our actions and reactions to His.

Note that Jesus was absolutely holy. He was “in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin” (Hebrews 4:15), relying on the Word of God and the strength provided through that Word to turn away from the “lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life” (1 John 2:16).

Yet, despite this absolute holiness, Jesus was also truly humble. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name fo Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:5-11).

Jesus did not live a holy life in order to exalt Himself, but humbled Himself in full submission and obedience to the Father—and the Father exalted Him. Likewise, we do not live holy lives in order to be better than other people, but we live holy lives to honor God and glorify Him. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4:10).

Are you living a life of holiness and humility? Are you living like our blessed Redeemer? He is “the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him”—obey Him today!