Lesson 34: Imitating Christ
“We know that when we see him, we will be like him because we will see the way he truly is. Everyone who puts his faith in Christ purifies himself by turning from sin. No one can live in Christ and continue to sin.” This does not mean sinless perfection but it means a life not characterized by sin. One cannot be born of the spirit or contain the seed of the spirit and continue to sin. This does not mean complete cessation of sin but a life not characterized by sin. But if we do sin, Christ is there to petition for us before God.
If our hearts do not convict us we may approach God with confidence asking him for what we need knowing that he will fulfill our needs, because we obey his commands and try to do what pleases him. And this is his command, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love others. If we obey his commands, we live in him and he lives in us. And this is how we know he lives in us; we have the Holy Spirit. If you devote your heart to him, stretch out your hands in prayer to him, put away the sin that is in your hand, and allow no evil to dwell in your tent; if you follow in his steps, keep to his way without turning aside and don’t depart from his commands, then you can hold your head high and without shame; then you can stand firm and without fear. If you devote your heart to him you should also devote your life to him. This is itself the gracious working of God’s spirit within you.