Ian Cole breaks own the first of his four themes for 2024 by looking at how we can conform to be more like Jesus.
At the end of 2023, the World Prayer Centre team felt that God had given them four words to carry into 2024. Conform, Confirm, Contend and Connect.
Conform more to the will, ways and words of Jesus.
Confirm our belief in the Bible, the inspired word of God. To read it, speak it and believe it.
Contend against spiritual powers of darkness, and to
Connect to continue to build unity across the body of Christ, locally, nationally and globally.
How do we conform?
Every organisation, be it political, sporting, commercial or religious, has rules and regulations to which they ask their members to conform. It really is the only way a group of likeminded people can function together.
With the Church, the Body of Christ, His Ecclesia, conformity is not primarily about rules and regulations, our conformity is relational. We want to be like Jesus, learn more about Jesus, say the things He said and do the things He did.
When I was a young boy, (and this will show my age) I wanted to play football like Stanley Matthews, cricket like Denis Compton and run like Roger Bannister. In my imagination, I did, in my aspirations I couldn’t.
Throughout my life there have been those to whom I looked up to, honoured and respected as role models. I thank God for Godly parents, for leaders who showed through their words and actions they were conforming to Christ and His ways. So now in my later years, I desire to do the same, by my words and actions.
That is why I want to know Jesus, more of His Glory and Majesty. More of His grace, more of His love, more of His mercy. For this year and the years ahead, I want to Conform to His image, His will, His ways, and His word.
Just as I could not be my boyhood idols, so in myself I cannot be more like Jesus. But, listen to these words of Jesus. “When He the Spirit of truth shall come, He will guide you into all truth. He shall glorify me, He shall receive of mine and show it unto you”. (Paraphrase John 17. 13-14.)
Jesus has given us His Holy Spirit so that day by day, in the power of His Spirit, we can learn more about Jesus, know more about Jesus, be more like Jesus and willingly conform to all that He asks us to do and be. This is not about copying an idol or someone famous, this is about representing Jesus in all I say and do; growing to be more like Him.
WOW, WHAT A PRIVILEGE!
This is a hymn we enjoyed singing in the last century. Still our prayer today
More about Jesus would I know,
More of His grace to others show;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
Refrain:
More, more about Jesus,
More, more about Jesus;
More of His saving fullness see,
More of His love who died for me.
More about Jesus let me learn,
More of His holy will discern;
Spirit of God, my teacher be,
Showing the things of Christ to me.
More about Jesus, in His Word,
Holding communion with my Lord;
Hearing His voice in every line,
Making each faithful saying mine.
More about Jesus on His throne,
Riches in glory all His own;
More of His kingdom’s sure increase;
More of His coming, Prince of Peace.
Read the second article in the series – Confirming our belief in the Word of God.
Ian Cole is the founder of the World Prayer Centre and connects global in prayer.
