"I love the sense of satisfaction that I get when I’ve done a swimming workout or race, and know that I gave my whole being and heart to God in every moment of the swim. It’s the best worship I can offer him."
Christlikeness
We know that when Christ appears we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is. I John 3:2Now that is a thought to blow you away, the promise that we will be like Christ. John picks out four family traits to help us to understand Christ-likeness:
1. “In him is no sin” (3:5) Now that is an unrealistic aspiration for us on earth but perhaps verse 6 gives us a clue “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning”. We cannot be sinless but we can strive not to keep on sinning.
2. “He is righteous” (2:29) Not a stiff goody goody morality but the quality Jesus displays when he forgives us.
3. “He is pure” (3:3) – a challenge to purify our lives.
4. “God is love” (4:16) John Ehrmann in Inside Out coaching, says that the first task of a coach is to love the members of their team. Love for God and for others must be a hallmark of our lives.
Steve Motyer wote: To become like him, expressing these family characteristics, is the best way to prepare for seeing him face to face, because then he won’t be a stranger!”
Steve Motyer, Encounter with God, 2012
Inside Out Coaching, Joe Ehrmann, New York, Simon and Schuster, 2011