Speaker: Sis. Techie Rodriguez ,Elder, The Lord's Flock Catholic Charismatic Community

“ Christians' Spiritual Stability ”

Part 2 – “Pursuit of Christlikeness

I ntroduction: “Be firm and steadfast!” (Joshua 1:6, 1:9). This is one of God's commands. He would like all of us to become strong Christians (please see Growth Digest issue no. 10, volume 8, April 19, 2006).

T he message is similar in Philippians 4:1: “Therefore; my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved.” The Lord would like us to have spiritual stability (please see Growth Digest issue no. 12, volume 8, April 26, 2006). [Erratum: In this issue, page 2, “The basis of the command is the believers' pursuit of righteousness.” Pursuit of righteousness should have read pursuit of Christlikeness. Your reporters apologize for the error.]

The Pursuit of Christlikeness

G od wants us to be firm, steadfast and strong. What is the principal basis of this command? The believers' pursuit of Christlikeness.

“F or those he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, so that he might be the first-born among many brothers.” (Romans 8:29).

G od wants all of us to be Christlike. He wants the image of Christ seen in us. He wants to use us as his instruments when we become images and examples of Christ.

W e are created in God's workmanship. “For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.” (Ephesians 2:10).

I n our old life, we “ were dead in transgressions and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1). We thank God that when a person truly believes in Christ, he begins an entirely new life. “yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me.” (Galatians 2:20).

“S o whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold new things have come.” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The believer in Christ, the new creation, is now alive. He is dead to sin and living for God in Christ Jesus. (Romans 6:11)

A fter our extensive and radical renewal as Christians, our Christlikeness must be seen in us. The dramatic change from our old selves to our new persons must be seen not only in our community but also at home, at work, during our recreation, and wherever we are. Our lives must become living testimonies of who is inside us now.

O ur firm, steadfast, and strong character must be consistent. We should be consistent Christians wherever we go. Otherwise, a weak character will be seen and problems will arise.

T he Lord's character is always consistent. Our own character should also be consistent as Christians, as Catholics, as charismatics. Let us be consistent as followers of Christ. Let us be consistent living what Jesus preaches and doing what we should as renewed Christians.

T he pursuit of Christlikeness should be the goal of Christian life. Our goal in life is to be like our Lord Jesus. This is why, in our Community, we know the Lord. We learn what the Lord wants and what He does not want. What we hear as Word of God, we apply in our daily life. We know about Jesus in order that we can love and imitate him.

W e should also be consistent in our pursuit of Christlikeness not only when we are inside our Community but more so when we are outside. Inside the Lord's Flock, it may be easy to do praise and worship and even to love our fellow brothers and sisters. Outside our Community, do others see Christ in us; or do we change our color to adopt to a different environment like a chameleon? Do others see our character consistent with the character of Christ? Let us be consistent in our pursuit of Christlikeness. By being consistent, we are assured of becoming firm, steadfast, strong, and spiritually stable Christians!

St. Paul – Imitator of Christ

S t. Paul is an imitator of Christ. He asks all of us to imitate him. “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 11:1).

St. Paul has the image and character of Christ. He himself was always standing firm and spiritually stable wherever he was – even when he was in prison.

S t. Paul repeatedly asked his brothers to be as he was . “I implore you, brothers, be as I am, because I have also become as you are.” (Galatians 4:12 ). “My children, for whom I am again in labor until Christ be formed in you!” (Galatians 4:19).

St. Paul Cares for the Church

L ike our Lord Jesus Christ whose bride is the Church, (Revelation 19:7), St. Paul loves and cares for the Church.

S t. Paul wrote in Philippians 1:8 “ For God is my witness, how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus .” He further wrote in Philippians 4:1 “Therefore, my brothers, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, beloved .” St. Paul considered his brothers as his joy and crown. He had a deep affection for them. It was his desire to remain with them for the progress of their faith. He provided non-stop teaching to the people that God entrusted to him.

S t. Paul wrote his friend, Timothy, and gave him a solemn charge: “ I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingly power: proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching………..But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry .” (2 Timothy 4:1-5).

S t. Paul prepared his disciples for trials which he experienced himself. He reminded them to stand firm and have a consistent character. He affirmed God's reward for fidelity . “For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).

“Keep Watch Over Yourselves”

W e are reminded to be watchful.

? “Keep watch over yourselves and over the whole flock of which the holy Spirit has appointed you overseers, in which you tend the church of God that he acquired with his own blood. I know that after my departure savage wolves will come among you, and they will not spare the flock.” (Acts 20:28-29).

? “A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.” (John 10:11).

? “Therefore, whoever thinks he is standing secure should take care not to fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

S t. Paul had joy coming not from circumstances; he derived joy from his brothers. Let us also be joy of our leaders. “ Obey your leaders and defer to them, for they keep watch over you and will have to give an account, that they may fulfill their task with joy and not with sorrow .” (Hebrews 13:17).

O beying the leaders of our Community is not blind obedience or false obedience. Obedience is an act of the will; there is a will to do the act. There can only be blind obedience if the leaders teach the followers to sin and they still follow. Your elders have never taught anyone to commit sin.

A ll of us should also watch out for trials and temptations.

? “ Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials, for you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance .” (James 1:2-3). We should stand firm amidst trials. Our trials can be, not only in difficult situations, but even when we receive great blessings and prosperity. Riches may either be a curse or a blessing. There is nothing wrong with being wealthy as money can be a means to help the church or community. We should watch out to be strong to bear the weight of prosperity and to ask for wisdom on how to handle it righteously. Money is dangerous not because of what we can do to it but because of what it can do to us. “Love of money is the root of all evils.” (1 Timothy 6:10).

? “ Blessed is the man who perseveres in temptation, for when he has been proved he will receive the crown of life that he promised to those who love him .” (James 1:12). When we are victorious in facing temptations, we mature. When our maturity is complete, we will receive the “crown of life” in heaven with our Lord Jesus.

We Shall Be Triumphant In Life

T hose of us who are faithful and firm, spiritually stable and strong, victorious amidst trials, shall all be triumphant in life. “ But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ and manifests through us the odor of the knowledge of him in every place .” (2 Corinthians 2:14). We can be victorious, spirit-filled and joyful in all circumstances. The fragrance of the knowledge of Jesus is spread everywhere and sensed by other people. There is love and joy of the Lord within us. “For we are the aroma of Christ for God among those who are being saved.” (2 Corinthians 2:15).