The Holy Spirit Makes Us More Like Jesus as We Follow Him

Summary

Whom we admire reveals what we value. Before Christ, many desired dominance, fame, or recognition. Through salvation, the Holy Spirit reshapes those desires, producing a longing to become like Jesus. He changes hearts, supplies holiness, and transforms believers into Christ’s image. Once living in darkness, Christians now shine with His light as the Spirit steadily works within them, making Jesus visible through obedient, transformed lives.

“Swifties” are Taylor Swift’s dedicated and passionate fans. They know everything about her career and music, attend concerts, interact with her on social media, and become involved in fan discussions and events.1 About 23 percent of the adult population of the United States are “Swifties.”2 I have a hunch that millions want to be like Taylor Swift or at least be as famous as she is.

Whom We Admire Reveals Our Values

Whom we imitate speaks volumes about our values. When I was growing up, I wanted to be like Sandy Koufax, a pitcher for the Dodgers. He dominated the competition the way I wanted to.

From Wanting to Dominate to Wanting to Serve

Remnants of that desire still swirl within me. I admire people who set athletic records—especially those who distance themselves from their closest competitors like Simone Biles in women’s gymnastics or Caitlin Clark in women’s basketball.

That desire to dominate started diminishing in the fall of 1968 after I trusted in Jesus alone as the all-sufficient sacrifice for my sins. I began to want to be like Him. I still do, but I have a long way to go.

God’s Power Makes Us Like Jesus

It is a challenge. God must turn one who wants to be a dominator into a servant. I am confident He can. He who can make something out of nothing (Genesis 1:1) will accomplish it. “And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns” (Philippians 1:6 NLT).

The Holy Spirit Creates New Desires

The Holy Spirit makes us like Jesus. He produces the necessary heart change, the want to. That is the foundation. See more about the ministry of the Holy Spirit.

“A person with a changed heart seeks praise from God, not from people” (Romans 2:29 NLT). It is a sea-change of values for those formerly motivated only by a “craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions” (1 John 2:16 NLT). 

Chosen to Share Jesus’ Holiness

God chose us to become like Jesus and a part of His family (Romans 8:29). The Holy Spirit supplies the holiness we need to be acceptable offerings to God (Romans 15:16, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Peter 1:2).

Shining With Christ’s Light

As a result, we seek to obey God, and Jesus Christ’s blood has cleansed us. “For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins” (Hebrews 9:14 NLT).

That same Spirit vindicated Him by raising Him from the dead, demonstrating that Jesus was God's Son (1 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 3:18).

The Spirit enables us to see and reflect Jesus’ glory. He is making us progressively more like Him and changing us into His glorious image (2 Corinthians 3:18). At one time, our lives were complete darkness. We had no Jesus likeness whatsoever. Things have changed.

When we were born again, the Spirit installed within us as Jesus’ followers the light of Jesus’ life (John 8:12). We are the world’s light. The brighter the light shines, the better (Matthew 5:14-16). The Holy Spirit is at work in us, supplying the power to be made like Jesus and to shine ever more brightly.

1.       What is a Swiftie? | Later Social Media Glossary

2.       Swifties - Wikipedia

Photo: Image Creator (microsoft.com)