Designed to Be Like Him: Understanding God’s Plan for Fellowship, Conduct, Conflict, and Maturity

by J. Dwight Pentecost

Publisher:

Kregel

, 1966

Overview

A practical and powerful reminder that new life in Christ gives us a whole new purpose—and a new goal for every aspect of life...we have been designed to be like him.

"The greatest goal in the believer's life is not his own enjoyment of salvation . . . [It] is to live Jesus Christ so that men may know the Father."

Against the flow of consumerist Christianity, Pentecost reminds the reader that the Christian life is not primarily about Jesus being our best friend, finding the keys to happiness, or just making it into heaven. In this insightful look at godliness, one of America's most respected and practical theologians discusses the essential principles that encompass every aspect of life.

Our life in Christ redefines our purposes and reshapes our perspectives. With our eternal destination secured, we embark on a lifelong journey toward godliness, being changed into the image of Christ as we live a life empowered by the Holy Spirit. Centered on Scripture, Designed to Be Like Him: Understanding God's Plan for Fellowship, Conduct, Conflict, and Maturit takes you step-by-step through a theologically sound pattern for maturing in Christ. Fellowship, conduct, conflict, and maturity are all discussed in detailed, yet understandable, language.

Contents

Top Highlights

“The Greatest theme with which the mind and the heart of the child of God can be occupied is the theme of the glory of God.” (Pages 10–11)

“First of all, in Ephesians 4:23 Paul enjoins believers: ‘Be renewed in the spirit of your mind.’ Paul is not commanding believers to get the new mind. As believers they already had the new mind. But they are to allow the new mind to do its renewing work in transforming their lives. When the old mind is allowed to dominate the child of God, the result will be sin, defilement, and corruption. But when the new mind dominates or controls the child of God, his life will manifest that which comes from a holy, a righteous, and a just God.” (Page 46)

“That is not the scriptural meaning of the word renew. The Greek word translated ‘renew’ means ‘to make new from above.’ That is what God does when He makes a man a new creature in Christ Jesus. He looks at the natural mind and sees it as it is, defiled and evil and lawless and reprobate and dead. In stead of remaking the old mind, God imparts an entirely new capacity—a new mind.” (Page 43)

“A new capacity is given to the person who has received Jesus Christ as Saviour so that, as he exercises the new mind, he can grasp of the truth of God, and appropriate the revelation which God has made of Himself and, as a result, enjoy fellowship with God—the mind of the believer in harmony with the mind of God.” (Page 43)

“Let me begin by reminding you that Adam’s mind, before the fall, could enjoy fellowship with the mind of God.” (Page 34)

Product Details

• Title: Designed to Be Like Him: Understanding God's Plan for Fellowship, Conduct, Conflict, and Maturity
• Author: J. Dwight Pentecost
• Publisher: Kregel
• Publication Date: 1966
• Pages: 288

About J. Dwight Pentecost

Dr. Pentecost was a professor of Bible Exposition at Dallas Theological seminary for over sixty years. He was also a pastor for thirty-five years. He wrote twenty-one books, including Things to Come. He died in 2015.