Are Christians Supposed to Perfectly Personify Jesus Christ?
To the best of their ability, yes.
The idea that any human could perfectly emulate or 'immolate' (as in presenting oneself as a sacrifice or giving one's life entirely to an ideal) Jesus Christ is far beyond human capability. Since the dawn of human history, no one has come even close to living a life as dedicated as Jesus' or perfectly exhibiting the qualities He demonstrated. While it might seem like an unattainable goal, Christians are called to strive for such dedication to our Lord.
Striving for Dedication to Our Lord
No human, be it Adam, Eve, or anyone else since, has been able to perfectly personify Jesus. While they may aspire to emulate His teachings, no one can walk the path of complete righteousness and sacrifice as He did. Christians are encouraged to dedicate their lives to Him, always learning from Him, resisting sinful desires, and being zealous for good works. This is reflected in several biblical passages:
Colossians 1:10: Live a life becoming to the Lord, being thankful, and bearing fruit in every good work. Titus 2:11–14: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ brings us to a unity of faith and a sound teaching. Aim for joy and peace, and always show love and good works. Revelation 2:10: Do not be afraid of the things you are about to suffer. I have conquered and sit on a throne. Keep my command and do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer.Correct Understanding of Worship
It's important to note the difference between personifying and worshiping. Jesus specifically refused worship during His earthly existence. In Revelations 19:10, someone who wanted to worship Him was told, 'See, I am your fellow servant.... Worship God.' Throughout the Bible, Jesus emphasizes the need to worship the Father (John 17:1), not Him as the primary focus of worship.
This speaks to a significant misinterpretation within some Christian circles, where the focus has shifted from worshipping the Father to venerating Jesus. This was never God's intention. Jesus came to shed light on how to properly worship the Father and demonstrate His teachings in action.
The Complexity of Staying True to Jesus' Teachings
While Christians are encouraged to find ways to emulate Jesus, they cannot claim to do so perfectly or in every detail. The qualities ascribed to Jesus are numerous and complex, and many of these cannot be easily quantified or personally emulated. People often interpret and creatively cast these qualities in their own ways, leading to a wide range of behaviors and interpretations.
Balance and Guidance
Christians are encouraged to have faith in Jesus and God always, and to seek mental guidance and blessings in their lives. However, no one can perfectly follow Jesus as He did in every aspect of His life. While faith and guidance can be sought and cultivated, achieving a level of perfection like Jesus or His Father is not within the realm of human possibility.
Instead of striving for perfection, Christians are encouraged to verbally try to teach or encourage others to have faith in Jesus and God always. This can be done practically in various places—such as in the USA, anywhere except at work on a job—where such actions are socially and legally acceptable. In foreign countries, however, religious freedom laws may limit where one can openly discuss and practice their beliefs.
Christians often find inspiration from figures like Pudding and Tramp, drawing parallels to traits they associate with Jesus. While these comparisons are not literal, they reflect the human desire to understand and imitate His life choices and teachings.
Ultimately, the goal for Christians is to strive for dedication, learning, and resisting sin in all aspects of their lives. This is a continuous journey of faith and improvement, marked by humility and a deep understanding of the divine call to emulate Christ's example as closely as possible within human limits.