What keeps us from living the way Jesus lived?

The simplest answer would be ... we're not Jesus. But let's not use that as an excuse, because if I understand it correctly, that's exactly who we are created to be like ... and called to be like. Just a few examples ...

• "For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son" Romans 8:29a 
• "Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus" Philippians 2:5 
• "As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you." John 20:21 

Conformed to His image, with the same attitude, sent like He was sent ... that's the life we're called to. The crazy thing is, not only is that the life we're called to, it's the life we've been given. A few examples ...

• "He is the image of the invisible God ... Christ in you, the hope of glory" Colossians 1:15, 27 
• "For in Christ all the fulness of the deity lives in bodily form. And you have been given fulness in Christ" Colossians 2:9-10a 
• "And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts" Galatians 4:6 

We're given the life of Christ and called to live it ... but we so often don't. Why? I'm sure there are many answers. The one that has been on my heart the past couple days is this: selfishness. Selfishness is the most natural human reaction ... and the most repulsive one. We tend to react in our own best interest in most cases ... and it tends to be the easiest way to turn someone off, the easiest way to lose credibility or influence in someone's life. This is bad, especially since the call to be like Jesus implies doing what He did, and He impacted lives. In order for us to do this, we can't afford to lose credibility - with anyone! And so ... we can't be self-centered people.

But how do we change this?! I said that it is the most natural reaction - but it doesn't have to be! We can change our nature ... wait, let me say that differently - God has changed our nature! There's a new natural! But we have to work it out, we have to exercise it. We have to stop living in the old nature and live in the new nature we've been given. "You were taught with regard to your former way of life to put off the old self which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires, and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24. Ok, enough with the Scripture, we get it, you can't just throw verses at something to fix it ... or can you? We react based on our mindset, our mind is shaped by what we put in it. So, yes, throwing Scripture at something can be very effective in bringing change! But I'd prefer a different phrase - inserting truth.

You see, we've been told a lie. The lie is that you are the most important person in the universe. You are told this lie often. Usually by marketing slogans enticing you to buy something that is supposed to make you happier. We are an entitled people. And it's wrong. So in order to reverse the effects of this lie that we're constantly fed - we need to insert truth, often. Maybe it's wisest not to spend too much time running from the lie (you'll end up a recluse), but rather insert truth and let it chase the lie away. Here's some to start with ...

•  "But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:43-45 
• "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:3-4 
• "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience" Colossians 3:12 
• "Humble yourselves before the Lord and He will exalt you." James 4:10 

So, read these often, chew on them, memorize them, chew on em some more, repent where you fail to live up to them, tell someone else how you struggle to keep this standard, pray, keep inserting truth. And live in the new natural - selflessness, the same selflessness that Christ displayed in His life ... and in His death. This is the selflessness you have been given. This is the selflessness you have been called to. Work it out. Live in it.