To Be Like Jesus, how & When

[BobHunt]

Like the phrase of the old hymn "all I want ...to be like Him."
My question is, is this a realistic goal, when is it accomplished and how do we know?
A professor walked into a classroom and asked "who here wants to be like Jesus?" and everyone raised their hand.
He then asked, "Who is now living like Jesus?" and no one raised their hand.
I dont think God would give us a command that is out of reach when He said "Be ye holy as I am holy." What do you think? ALL your answers I will prayerfully explore.

[Stephen Kerr]

It seems to me that Jesus' idea of being perfect as our heavenly father is perfect really was a call to full fledged discipleship. Over and over we read the idea of giving up everything to follow Him- to risk loosing everything for the sake of Christ- to take up our cross and follow Him. It is only possible through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and by applying the means of grace and participating in the community of the faithful. And, it must be pointed out, that we are not talking about sinless perfection-- but rather, perfection of love-- of our heart and motivations- so that we would not willfully transgress God's known law. We still may miss the mark-- the bulls eye of righteousness. Often our actions may well be flawed. And, so long as we have these bodies that are susceptible to weariness, illness, and forgetfulness we will not be able to respond to every situation with outward perfection. Yet, our love and motivation can become purified and cleansed so that we are not only justified but become those who live just lives. I think Scripture teaches this-- that one can expect a certain life of holiness to be revealed/manifested as a reality in this present life. Jesus came to do away with the work of the devil. I would suggest reading John's Wesley's little book entitled: A Plain Account of Christian Perfection. I think, if you study his words, he does a good job of explaining what sanctification is and isn't (which is direcly related to being like Jesus). It is also important to consider Paul's own experience and his theology as he speaks of having been redeemed, is in the process of being redeemed, and looks forward to ultimate redemption. Then, again, there is the passage about progressing from "glory to glory" (in 2 Corinthians, I believe) which also seems to say that as you grow deeper in Christ and surrender to the Holy Spirit's work you should be able to say, at this moment, I really love God and want His way to be done and am committed to it-- and that's how Jesus lived-- doing the will of the Father.
One more thing to consider...1 John 3 indicates that we are not like Jesus right now (that is-- as He is in His glorified state). But we will be one day-- when we see Him. For now, let us press on toward the goal so as to win the prize of our upward calling in Christ Jesus-- knowing that Jesus endured a lot in order that we might become "sharers in the divine nature" (2 Peter 1.4).
Hope this lengthy comment helps and may the grace of God be with you in Christ Jesus.