Growing Into Christ-Likeness (Part 2) 4.20.2025
The meeting of Grace Christian Church. We meet in person and stream services every Sunday at 10:30 AM EST in Manalapan, New Jersey.
Lesson Two: Understanding The Foundational Truth In Growing To Become Like Christ
Overview: Lesson Two emphasizes the distinction between living “A” Christian life (self-reliant, with God’s help) and “THE” Christian life (Christ as the source). It explores God as the sole source for spiritual growth, the impact of the Fall, and the transformative work of the cross.
Day One: Living “A” vs. “THE” Christian Life
-
“A” Christian Life: You are the source, relying on your intellect and effort, with God’s help, to grow spiritually. This leads to frustration, lack of victory, and no transformation, as it’s based on self-effort.
-
“THE” Christian Life: Christ is the source, living His life in you (John 14:6, Philippians 1:21, Colossians 3:4). Spiritual growth and transformation come from dependence on Him, not self-effort.
Day Two: Christ as Your Life
-
God is the source (1 Corinthians 1:30, Acts 17:28, Romans 11:36), supplying needs, power over sin, mind renewal, and transformation.
-
False belief: God helps you be the source. Truth: God is the source, not a helper, as self-reliance fails (Romans 15:18).
Day Three: God as Source and the Fall
-
Before the Fall: Adam and Eve depended on God as their source for all needs (Genesis 2:7, Phil. 4:19).
-
After the Fall: Their choice for independence led to spiritual death (separation from God’s life and source, Romans 5:12, Isaiah 59:2).
-
All humans inherit this spiritual death, making self-reliance futile.
Day Four: Two Sides of the Cross
-
Sin Side: Christ died for sins, granting eternal life (Ephesians 1:7, John 3:36).
-
Life Side: God restores His role as source by:
-
Placing the fullness of the Godhead in you (Colossians 2:9-10).
-
Giving Christ’s life and God’s power (1 John 5:11-12, Acts 1:8).
-
Uniting you with Himself (John 14:20, Ephesians 2:5).
-
Day Five: Christ Living in You
-
Christ lives His life in you (Galatians 2:20), making you dependent on Him, not self.
-
Live from God (as source) rather than for God (self-effort).
-
God’s promises include victory, freedom, healing, supply, intimacy, and transformation into Christ-likeness (1 Corinthians 15:57, Galatians 5:1, Philippians 4:19).
Key Truth: Only Christ, as the source, can transform you into His likeness. Self-reliance leads to failure, but dependence on Him brings spiritual growth and fulfillment of His promises.
