The Bible teaches us that God’s ultimate goal for our lives is that we would become like Jesus. 

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. Romans 8:29-30 (NLT) 

God provides everything we need to be free from sin, live a holy life, and be like Jesus. But what prevents us from becoming all that God wants us to become? Some of our big hinderances are bad company and evil influences.

Don’t be fooled … “bad company corrupts good character.”

1 Corinthians 15:33 (NLT)

Like it or not, whoever you spend time with rubs off on you and influences your character. If you spend time with sinful people, it rubs off on you and affects your character. When you spend time with negative people or gossips, that will affect you and you can easily become cynical and unnecessarily critical. If you spend time with godly people who are positive and love to talk about the Lord, that also rubs off on you and it affects your character. If your friends love to pray, fellowship, worship, and talk about scripture guess what? That will rub off on you. So, in today’s study, we are examining the secret of a transformed life. And that secret is revealed in who you are spending time with. Who most influences your life? 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NLT) 

But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.                       

2 Corinthians 3:16-18 (NLT) 

Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.

 Pastor Mike