The Biblical call to becoming more like Jesus implies that I will be “being transformed” until I take my first breath in heaven. The three painful years since Elaine’s passing presented the setting for growing into measures of intimacy with the Father that I had never known in my previous 82 years, and it continues at 85.
The call to intentional lifelong transformation is not a common theme in the Church, and it can even threaten the saints. Those of a performance-based religion can feel condemned, and react negatively because to them the II Corinthians 3:18 and Ephesians 4:24 call implies the lie that God couldn’t accept them as they are.
Further, many in the church are satisfied with their spirituality and don’t want anyone messing with them. They believe the “right” things, put their Sunday morning spiritual cologne on and avoid their church’s “thou shalt not” list. I mean, what else could God expect? Harsh words with the spouse or kids on the way to church are irrelevant.
Their self-righteousness is seemingly justified by judging those who aren’t up to their standards. Tattoos, tobacco breath, or tattered (and especially dirty) jeans for example. They feel secure in spite of their hidden addictions like porn or building their portfolio; or sins like pride, loving the world or having a sharp tongue. They pass the test of their religious institution and the call to become more like Jesus is annoying. Woe to the one who stirs up that hornets’ nest!
And then there’s the truly “good” folks; moral, principled and industrious, who don’t realize how much richer and God-glorifying their life would be if they actively pursued the Spirit-empowered holiness and mission that Jesus offers – and which He actually requires of us.
Fortunately there are also those, even in the institutional church, who passionately pursue “more of Jesus,” and you encourage me so much. Thank you!
Ken Stoltzfus
Kidron, Ohio USA
January 14, 2026
Printable pdf at: www.10minas.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/mlj4.pdf
See www.john2031.com/books/mlj/main.html for a free downloadable workbook on steps to becoming more like Jesus.