Don't Expect, Just Trust.

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross!  Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, in heave and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." -Philippians 2:3-11

Acting like Christ on a daily basis doesn't come naturally. We try, but we fail. We end up making excuses or try to justify ourselves. For many I think, when they first realize that this is what they should do, they try as best they can. But very quickly they realize that it's nearly impossible to be Christ-like in every situation of the day. So they quit. 

Quitting is not what God called us to do. Quitting is something that the world has invented. Quitting in this case is saying that God isn't worth this much effort or dedication. Becoming more like Christ is not some over-the-counter remedy that can be taken and takes 8 hours to kick in. Nope, not even close. Learning and living like Christ is a lifelong process; a process full of discipline and surrender. 

The most important realization that needs to be understood in living like Christ is that it's not a duty. It's not something that we can do and give ourselves a little pat on the back. 

Imitating Christ is our response to the unending love He shows us. It's one way of thanking the Lord for the undeserved grace we are constantly receiving. It's a way of showing Christ to others. It glorifies Him. 

Don't make God a box to check. He created that to-do list.

"For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him." -Philippians 1:29