being like christ

⁶Whoever declares himself to remain in him, ought to walk just as he himself walked.

²¹For you have been called to this because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in his footsteps.

¹Be imitators of me, as I also am of Christ.

¹Therefore, as most beloved sons, be imitators of God. ²And walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and delivered himself for us, as an oblation and a sacrifice to God, with a fragrance of sweetness.

²²to set aside your earlier behavior, the former man, who was corrupted, by means of desire, unto error, ²³and so be renewed in the spirit of your mind, ²⁴and so put on the new man, who, in accord with God, is created in justice and in the holiness of truth.

¹³You call me Teacher and Lord, and you speak well: for so I am. ¹⁴Therefore, if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash the feet of one another. ¹⁵For I have given you an example, so that just as I have done for you, so also should you do. ¹⁶Amen, amen, I say to you, the servant is not greater than his Lord, and the apostle is not greater than he who sent him. ¹⁷If you understand this, you shall be blessed if you will do it.

¹⁵If you love me, keep my commandments.

¹Admonish them to be subordinate to the rulers and authorities, to obey their dictates, to be prepared for every good work, ²to speak evil of no one, not to be litigious, but to be reserved, displaying all meekness toward all men. ³For, in times past, we ourselves were also unwise, unbelieving, erring, servants of various desires and pleasures, acting with malice and envy, being hateful and hating one another. ⁴But then the kindness and humanity of God our Savior appeared. ⁵And he saved us, not by works of justice that we had done, but, in accord with his mercy, by the washing of regeneration and by the renovation of the Holy Spirit, ⁶whom he has poured out upon us in abundance, through Jesus Christ our Savior,

²⁹For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined, in conformity with the image of his Son, so that he might be the Firstborn among many brothers.

²⁷For as many of you as have been baptized in Christ have become clothed with Christ.

⁵For this understanding in you was also in Christ Jesus:

⁵Have confidence in the Lord with all your heart, and do not depend upon your own prudence. ⁶In all your ways, consider him, and he himself will direct your steps.

²Most beloved, we are now the sons of God. But what we shall be then has not yet appeared. We know that when he does appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.