Do you need a long-overdue vacation? Or perhaps you want to pay off a loan quickly. Maybe you’ve never gardened, but you want to try one. Could be you’ve decided to change careers but need more education. Or you might commit to lose a few unwanted pounds. Regardless, whatever the scenario, you need a plan – or you’ll get nowhere fast. Similarly, you need a plan to be more like Jesus. Incidentally, it doesn’t just happen.

So, let’s look at a good plan to do just that.

Tear Into It – A Plan To Be More Like Jesus

There are always four categories we explore in Scripture Dissection:

1. What Does It Say?
2. What Does It Mean?
3. Make It Personal
4. Make A Commitment.

 

1. What Does It Say?

In this content, we’ll explore verse phrases from Romans 12:9-21:

1. Love sincerely.
2. Hate what is evil.
3. Cling to what is good.
4. Be devoted to one another.
5. Honor one another above self.
6. Never be lazy in your walk with God.
7. Be enthusiastic in spirit.
8. Serve the Lord.
9. Rejoice in hope.
10. Be patient in difficulties.
11. Be constant in prayer.
12. Contribute to the needs of the saints.
13. Creatively show hospitality.
14. Bless those who persecute you.
15. Rejoice with those who rejoice.
16. Weep with those who weep.
17. Live in harmony with one another.
18. Do not be haughty.
19. Associate with the lowly.
20. Never be wise in your own eyes.
21. Don’t repay evil for evil.
22. Consider what is honorable to do.
23. As much as you can – live peaceably with everyone.
24. Never avenge yourself, but let God do it for you.
25. If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he’s thirsty, give him something to drink.

 

Incidentally, the conclusion for these verse phrases is verse 21 –

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

That’s what our verses say. Strategically, how do they help provide a plan to be more like Jesus?

The previous verse phrases provide a practical action plan to apply Scriptures. Actually, they help you “work out your salvation.” (Phil. 2:12)

Subsequently, this means you can add these dependable, specific tools to your spiritual tool box.

By the way, your tool box should already contain the following basic tools.

Your Tool Box – Basic Equipment

1. Your Bible.
2. Daily conversations with God (prayer).
3. A journal to jot thoughts about what you learn.
4. A method (reminders on your phone or device, post-it notes, 3X5 cards, or other) to help you memorize Scriptures.
5. Dedicated time to meditate on Scripture. Specifically, ponder – “what does it looks like to apply these Scriptures in my life?”
6. Interestingly, the previous Scripture phrases help you picture specifically what it looks like to follow Jesus. Essentially, you can pro-actively use them as a plan that’s –
   • Practical.
   • Easy to understand.
   • Simple to put into action.

 

If you plan to be more like Jesus, stock your tool box!

A Modern Plan To Be More Like Jesus

Basically, you need a modern-day plan to apply Scriptures to manage your life and relationship with God. Incidentally, the best plans have specific goals and clear directives. Also, your plan should match whatever Jesus would do. Most importantly, be hungry and thirsty for more of God.

If that’s not where you’re at, ask God to make you hungry and thirsty for Him. After that, choose to love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength – the best you know how! (Mk. 12:30)

Actually, the previously mentioned verse phrases are clear directives for your practical plan.

What’s Involved In A Plan To Be More Like Jesus?

First, you trust Jesus for salvation. He guaranteed your freedom when He took your sins away – – onto Himself at His cross. Remarkably, you receive Christ’s forgiveness and holiness by faith.

Next, you start down a new path – following and loving God, who first loved you. However, you need to know how to live, respond, and think. Let me just say – your absolute best tool is your Bible! There’s no other resource on earth as Alive and Active as Scripture! (Heb. 4:12)

However, it helps to know how to apply God’s Word in practical ways. Consequently, you do need a plan.

Incidentally, there are two critical pieces needed for a good plan –

1. Your resolve.
2. God’s power.

 

At this point, you have all you need to grow in Christ and accomplish your life purpose.

Apply the verse phrases (above) from your heart by –

• Completely yielding to God.
• Agreeing with Him in all issues of life.

 

In other words, commit to be a living sacrifice. (Rom. 12:1) Interestingly, the verse phrases provide a concrete structure to make your plan personal.

3. Make It Personal

Our list of twenty-five verse phrases enables you to target spiritual growth. Also, it nurtures the right kind of heart inside you. So, I suggest –

1. First, print and post this list where you’ll see it often.
2. Next, make it stick in your memory by writing it out several times a week.
3. Finally, carry the list in your phone or device with review reminders throughout the day.

 

In summary, your resolve and God’s power are essential to a good plan and to a healthy relationship with God. Simply yield to God and agree with Him in all things. The only way to succeed is with the motive to love God first, most, and best.

Then work hard in every detail of your life. Give your very best to God! 

How To Apply The Verse Phrases

Let’s make it personal.

1. Love sincerely. From your heart, make sacrifices to love others. (Not always easy.)
2. Hate what is evil. Literally, cut it away. Stand against evil.
3. Cling to what is good. Promote and reinforce good in others. 
4. Be devoted to one another. Show commitment to others. Be practical. Meet needs.
5. Honor one another above self. “. . . in humility count others as more significant than yourself.” (Phil. 2:3) God will care for you.
6. Never be lazy in your walk with God. Get up ready to work hard. Intentionally pursue God. 
7. Be enthusiastic in spirit. Practice cheer and live inside hope.
8. Serve the Lord. Be creative. Be practical. Do something today to serve God and others.
9. Rejoice in hope. Whether or not you feel like it – choose to praise the God of hope.
10. Be patient in difficulties. With love for God and faith in His ways, be still and wait for Him even during hard times.
11. Be constant in prayer. “Be” with God all day. Pray for people and situations as He prompts.
12. Contribute to the needs of the saints. In practical ways, do something to help others who need help.
13. Creatively show hospitality. What unique things can you do to help someone know they’re special?
    

    We’re Over Half Way!

    

14. Bless those who persecute you. When you’re treated poorly, pray for those who were unkind.
15. Rejoice with those who rejoice. Even when life is hard, rejoice over good that happens for others. 
16. Weep with those who weep. Because you’ve known pain and sorrow, connect with someone who also hurts.
17. Live in harmony with one another. Honor Jesus by nurturing harmony with difficult people. Cultivate peace.
18. Do not be haughty. Don’t live with your “nose in the air.” Be down-to-earth. Reachable for others.
19. Associate with the lowly. Communicate value and honor to people considered “lowly” in culture.
20. Never be wise in your own eyes. Interestingly, the more you walk with God, you see wisdom is only from Him. Refuse to have all the answers.
21. Don’t repay evil for evil. Instead, repay good for evil. “Pressed-down, shaken together, running over.” (Lk. 6:38)
22. Consider what is honorable to do. Spend time exploring “best” ways to stand for goodness and truth. Plus, build others up according to their needs. (Eph. 4:29)
23. As much as you can – live peaceably with everyone. Notice the phrase – “as much as you can.” Sometimes, others limit the level of peace possible. But – do your part.
24. Never avenge yourself, but let God do it for you. God is watching. Let go of your reputation for God’s greater glory. He’ll take care of your reputation.
25. If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he’s thirsty, give him something to drink. Just do the practical thing. “Live out Scripture!” Help people like Jesus did. 

 

Simply put – these verse phrases are the stuff you need for a good plan!

4. Make A Commitment – Application Thoughts And Questions

Let’s explore how to develop all this information into a good plan to “be” like Jesus.

1. Do you ever find yourself coasting through your day?
2. Since you’ve got a great tool, it’s time to “get going!” Use your tool box.
3. In your spiritual tool box, do you have all the basic tools? (Review them.)
4. The verse phrases are dependable, specific tools to add to your tool box.
5. Which phrases do you need to work on?
6. Now, are you resolved to live to please God?
7. Plus, do you trust God’s power?
8. Also, are you completely yielded to God.
9. Finally, do you agree with Him in all issues of life whether or not you understand what’s happening.

 

* Portions of this content come from our book – It’s Your Move – a devotional book that powerfully challenges you to live with perspective and purpose. Incidentally, you can find this book in our bookstore: www.aliveandactivelife.org/store.

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