How to Cultivate a Supreme Character: Four Keys to Becoming More Like Jesus

From a message by Jon Alsdorf

The Power of Spiritual Transformation
The difference between the disciples before and after receiving the Holy Spirit is remarkable. Before Pentecost, they were confused and fearful despite witnessing Jesus' miracles and hearing His teachings. After the Holy Spirit came, they became bold, fearless preachers who transformed the world.

This same transformative power is available to every believer. However, many Christians struggle to experience this change because they're distracted from the Holy Spirit's work, trying to achieve transformation through their own efforts instead.

Why Self-Made Religion Doesn't Work
Paul addresses this problem in Colossians, questioning why believers with this massive spiritual upgrade aren't living it out. Instead, they're submitting to human-made regulations and rules that have "an appearance of wisdom" but are "of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh."

The issue isn't just following Old Testament law, but the countless additional rules created by religious committees - what's called "fencing in the law." These man-made regulations attempt to prevent people from getting close to sin, but they miss the point entirely.

True transformation doesn't come from external rules or self-punishment. It comes from dealing with the root, not just the fruit. You can't paint green apples red and expect them to taste different - you need to change what's producing the fruit in the first place.

Four Keys to Cultivating Supreme Character
1. Reset Your Focus on Your Destination
"Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth" (Colossians 3:2).

Our default focus is typically backwards - dwelling on past mistakes and failures. The enemy loves to whisper about what you've done wrong rather than where God is taking you.

Here’s a life principle: you always move toward what you focus on. Just like crossing a narrow bridge over water, you must keep your eyes on your destination, not on everything else around you. If you want to become more like Jesus, focus on Him because you will move toward what you focus on.

2. Stop Taking Your Demons Prisoner
"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness" (Colossians 3:5).

Many Christians try to control their struggles rather than eliminate them. This is like an alcoholic keeping drinks in front of them while trying to stare them down. God doesn't want you to manage your demons - He wants them destroyed.

The Bible doesn't tell us to fear demons, confront them on our own authority, or try to control them. Instead, we're called to resist them (and they will flee) and put to death the earthly things within us. Don't get sin under control - put it to death completely.

3. Stop Acting Like a Christian and Start Living in the Light
"Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self" (Colossians 3:9-10).

Many people know the Christian conventions - the right words to say, how to smile on Sunday, the proper responses to give. But Paul isn't just talking about verbal lies; he's addressing lifestyle lies.

Living in the light means embracing the truth of who you are in Christ. You're new. You're a new creation. The struggles, past mistakes, and hangups are part of the old self that's passing away. Stop presenting who you want to be and start living as who you actually are in Christ.

4. Make Loving Others Your Chief Goal in Life
"Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience... And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony" (Colossians 3:12, 14).

One of the fastest ways to become more like Jesus is to love people everywhere you go. In every circumstance, ask yourself: "How can I love someone in the name of Jesus in this moment?"

This includes forgiving others as the Lord has forgiven you - a remarkably high standard that requires meditating on how completely God has forgiven you.

How Close Do You Want to Be to Jesus?
Jesus doesn't want you spending decades slowly creeping toward becoming more like Him. He's ready to sweep you into His presence and remake you in dramatic ways if you're willing. The question is: how close do you want to be to Jesus?

Rather than settling for feeling like a distant relative of Jesus, He wants to invite you so close to His heart that people have trouble telling the difference between you and Him.

Life Application
This week, choose one of these four keys and take decisive action. Don't wait for gradual change over years - meaningful transformation can begin with a single choice to cooperate with the Holy Spirit's work in your life.

Ask yourself these questions:

• Where is my focus currently directed - on past failures or on Christ?
• What "demons" am I trying to control instead of putting to death?
• Am I acting like a Christian or living authentically in the light of who I am in Christ?
• How can I make loving others my primary goal in every interaction this week?

The goal isn't to manage your spiritual life better, but to experience the dramatic character transformation that comes from fully cooperating with God's work in your life. Choose to live this week like no week you've ever lived before.

Want to hear more? You can listen to the entire message here. (No Rivals Week 5)