“I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” – Mahatma Gandhi
Ouch. That quote stings a little, doesn’t it?
We want to be like Jesus. We know we’re supposed to be like Jesus. We even know the world would be better if more people were!
But… what does that even mean?
I'm happy to explain. I'm a pastor for over 20 years, and the author of "The Obedience Challenge," a 90 Day Study of the commands of Jesus in the Gospels.
Almost all Christians say spiritual growth is important to them. Yet, many are unsure how to actually grow, and—let’s be honest—our actions don’t always match our desires.
So how do we do that? It starts with this simple truth: You can’t be like Jesus if you don’t know what He did. Otherwise, we’re just making up our own version of Jesus! And let’s be real—that’s a dangerous game to play.
In fact, if you hear someone say, "I've always thought of Jesus as..." you're probably about to hear some nonsense. :)
Step 1: Know What Jesus Actually Said and Did
If you want to be like Jesus, you need to know Jesus. That means spending time in the Gospels, seeing:
what He actually said
what He prioritized
how He treated people
what He called His followers to do
Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:18, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image...” The more we truly see Jesus—not just a version we invent, but the real Christ of Scripture—the more we are changed. Not stressful worried striving... just focusing consistently on Him, honestly, with no pretense, and allowing His Spirit to reshape us. If we want to reflect Jesus, we need to keep our eyes on Him, learning from His words and following in His footsteps.
Here's a practical starting point to being like Jesus
This isn’t just about reading a few inspirational verses—it’s about immersing yourself in His life and teachings. That’s why I put together a 90-Day Gospel Reading Plan—a simple way to work through the life of Jesus in a structured, focused way.
📖 Get the free 90-Day Gospels Bible Reading Plan here. (Includes daily email reminders and coaching on how to study the Bible for yourself!)
Step 2: Study & Obey His Commands
Once we know what Jesus said, we actually have to do it.
Jesus didn’t just tell people to believe in Him—He called them to follow Him. And following Jesus means obeying Him.
Think about it: If we say we’re trying to be more Christlike, but we ignore His commands, aren’t we just making up our own version of discipleship?
That’s why I also created a list of Jesus’ commands, along with a 90-day challenge to actually live them out.
Is becoming more like Jesus the same thing as Discipleship?
Basically, yes. Jesus said in Luke 6:40 (ESV): "A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher."
Interestingly, fewer people use the word discipleship to describe this process these days. Instead, they talk about “becoming more Christlike” or simply “spiritual growth.” But whatever we call it, the goal remains the same: to look, act, and live more like Jesus.
It’s Simpler Than We Make It
The process of becoming like Jesus isn’t a mystery. It’s not about vague spiritual feelings or waiting for some big emotional moment. Instead it's this simple:
Learning from Jesus (through the Gospels).
Obeying Jesus (by actually doing what He said).
Discipleship is about direction more than perfection. Sure, we're headed toward being "perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect." But that's not our starting point. One step at a time, one day at a time, becoming a little more like Him.
And you don’t have to do it alone. If you’re serious about growing, grab the free resources above and start walking this journey with me.
Let’s get back to actually looking like Jesus.
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