Paul desired to be exactly like Jesus!

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(James Smith, "Paul's Seven Wishes" 1856)

"I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings--becoming like him in His death!" Philippians 3:10

Paul's next all-absorbing desire was to be CONFORMED to Christ! It was not enough to know Christ, to win Christ, to magnify Christ, or to be in Christ; Paul wishes to be LIKE Christ! He would . . .
breathe His spirit,
exhibit His temper,
copy His example, and
be just like Christ!

He desired to be . . .
like Christ in poverty,
like Christ in suffering,
like Christ in death itself!

Paul desired to be exactly like Jesus!
Meek--as Jesus was meek.
Patient--as Jesus was patient.
Loving--as Jesus was loving.
Useful--as Jesus was useful.
In every point resembling Him!

What admiration of Christ is here!
What love to Christ!
What self-renunciation!
What power of grace!
What a wonderful transformation! How unlike 'Saul of Tarsus', the Pharisee of the Pharisees, the persecutor of the church, the blasphemer of the Nazarene! What could be more unlike?
Once he saw no beauty in Christ--now he sees nothing but beauty!
Once he could not bear the mention of His name--now he never seems happy, but when pronouncing it!
Once he was exceedingly violent against Christ and His people--now his heartfelt abiding cry is, "I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings--becoming like Him in His death!"

Dear reader, have you ever experienced any such change?
Are you panting, praying, striving to be like Jesus?
Are you willing to be anything that Jesus was--that you may be like Him?
Are you willing to suffer even death--that you may be conformed to Him?

My soul, this is a very high attainment--aspire to it! Seek grace day by day at the throne of grace--that you may so love, so admire, so adore the Savior--as to desire to be conformed to Him in life, in death, and forever!

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