CHICAGO, IL (February 6, 2003) - We say we want to be like Jesus. But, is that really what we want?

That was the probing question posed to pastors attending the 2003 Midwinter Conference Thursday evening by noted speaker and author Dallas Willard, who is a professor and former director of the School of Philosophy at the University of Southern California.

"If we are to discover the sure path to spiritual growth in Christ's likeness, then we must become 'wholly lost in Jesus,'" Willard said in quoting from a large banner spanning the stage behind the podium from which he spoke. The banner quoted the familiar words of the hymn: "Deeper, deeper, blessed Holy Spirit, take me deeper still; till my life is wholly lost in Jesus and his perfect will."

"There is a sure path towards that goal," Willard said. "But, it won't come like lightning. And it won't come by going to church. Some people do not believe such a path is even possible - they have seen too many disappointments in life, too many struggles in their own families who speak of love but practice hate."

Willard blames pride and the basic human tendency to boast of one's own achievement in explaining why he believes some people do not put much stock in the concept of "victorious Christian living" - the ability to live each day in the character and power of Christ. "It is hard for some people to understand that sanctification is as much a manifestation of the power of God as is justification. There is no boasting."

Another danger is the tendency on the part of some to fix their eyes on the things of this earth rather than those things that are above the earth. "Your old life is over," Willard said of the individual who comes to Christ. "The life you now have is hidden in Christ," he said in recalling Paul's letter in Colossians. "Christ is glorious, therefore your hidden life is glorious."

How is a new creature in Christ to respond to the temptation of pride and distractions from what is truly important? "Let the old desires die off - mortify the body," he suggests. "Get rid of envy, anger, wrath and malice. You don't need to lie anymore. You're living in a new world - you have God's vision of things now. You're a new person.

"Instead, put on mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, forgiving one another," he continued. "Are you getting the picture? To be wholly lost in Jesus, above all other things you must put on agape - love," he said. "Love suffers long. Love is kind. Love doesn't envy. Love doesn't exalt itself."

Willard suggested thinking of "wholly lost" without a perspective of legalism. "It comes as a gift of grace." And in seeking the sure path to spiritual growth, Willard offered three principles summed up in the acronym VIM:

• The 'V' is for vision. "The sure path depends upon a vision of life as a beautiful, holy life in the Kingdom of God. Jesus was a happy person - his disciples knew his kindness and goodness. That's what's being offered to us."
• The 'I' is for intention. "When we look at this language 'wholly lost,' we must ask ourselves, 'have I really intended to be loving and kind?' One must desire and value something before intending to pursue it. If you have a vision to do something and really want it and intend to do it, then Christ can empower you."
• The 'M' is for means. "The means of doing something are found in the disciplines of a spiritual life - faithfulness, giving, prayer, witnessing. The means of doing something is not enough if there is no intention of doing so, and intention is driven by vision."