Becoming More Like Jesus

Published on 5 February 2026 at 00:00

Becoming More Like Jesus

Becoming More Like Jesus

“And the Lord–who is the Spirit–makes us more and more like Him as we are changed into His glorious image.” —2 Corinthians 3:18b

My goal is to be more like Jesus. How about you? Would you like to be more like Jesus – in your thinking and in the way you act? That transformation, though being an ongoing process, is not something that happens quickly.

My desire is to reflect Him more clearly: to speak like Him, love like Him, show mercy like Him, and walk in the strength He provides so I can fulfill what God has called me to do.

That kind of life begins with a transformed heart.

Heart transformation takes time. It requires surrender. I long to be purified by Him and to live as His child.

1 John 3:2 tells us that now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But when Christ appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

That promise gives me hope when the journey feels slow. This world can be heavy. There is sickness, disease, lack, broken relationships, and rumors of war all around us. It’s easy to grow weary. Yet even in the face of such adversity, my prayer remains the same – to be like Jesus and to share His hope and love with a lost and dying world.

I’ve come to understand that there truly can be mercy in the middle of our mess.

We see this clearly in the story of Jonah.

Jonah 2:1 says, “From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God.”

Jonah didn’t pray when everything was comfortable. He prayed from the depths, when his circumstances were a direct result of his own disobedience. And still, God listened.

That gives me great comfort because in the middle of my own mess, I can pray too.

Like Jonah, I don’t always do what I should. I find myself comparing circumstances or becoming discouraged when things don’t look the way I expect them to. At times, I resist what God is asking of me. Jonah did the same. He was stubborn. He was reluctant. He ran from his assignment. Yet God, rich in mercy, never gave up on him.

Jonah had a calling, to go to Nineveh, but instead he fled. He was swallowed by a great fish, and it was there, in that uncomfortable place, that his heart began to change. He prayed. And God heard him. God forgave him and restored him, showing mercy to a reluctant prophet who still had a purpose.

I don’t want to be the reluctant prophet.

I don’t want to be the disobedient child.

I want to stand before the Lord at the end of my days and hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

I don’t want to miss a single opportunity to reflect His love and glory to those around me.

So often we struggle to extend mercy to others, yet we must never forget how much mercy God has shown us. He sought us, loved us, and called us, even when we were difficult recipients of His grace.

That’s why I want to be like Jesus.

I want to forgive quickly.

I want to love with agape love.

I want my life to point others to Him.

Do you desire this transformation? If so…

Invite Heart Transformation Daily

Set aside intentional time each day to ask the Lord to search your heart. Pray Psalm 139:23–24 and invite God to reveal areas where obedience, humility, or mercy are needed. Transformation begins with surrender.

Practice Mercy on Purpose

Choose one intentional act of mercy this week, extend forgiveness, speak encouragement, or show compassion where it feels difficult. Let God’s mercy toward you flow through you to others.

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for loving us with a mercy we do not deserve. Thank You for being patient with us when we are reluctant, stubborn, or slow to obey. Lord, transform our hearts. Make us more like Jesus in how we speak, how we love, how we forgive, and how we serve. In the middle of our mess, teach us to pray and to trust You. Help us walk in obedience and reflect Your glory to a lost and hurting world. May we never miss an opportunity to shine Your love. We surrender our hearts to You and ask You to complete the good work You have begun in us.

Becoming More Like Jesus