The term “authentic self” is spreading like a cultural trend. “Living true to myself,” “a journey to find who I really am,” and “what I truly want” are now treated as core values of life. YouTube and Instagram algorithms fuel this movement, and both consumerism and content pour out in ways that spotlight the self. Slogans like “Don’t compare yourself to others, love yourself,” and “Live life your own way,” have become the culture itself. But within this powerful wave of self-affirmation, Christianity tells a different story. “You must become like Jesus.” “It is no longer I who live, but Christ.” These messages seem to clash directly with the age of self-expression. Why does Christianity still hold on to such an old-fashioned message? And is it still relevant today?
Pursuing an authentic life is not inherently wrong. Scripture affirms that humans are created as distinct beings, each with different gifts and personalities. God uniquely designed every person. The problem is that “authenticity” is increasingly distorted into a form of self-worship. The belief that what I feel is truth, and what I want is good, not only breaks down community and order but also leads ultimately to isolation. Psychologists say the spread of narcissistic culture and social media is actually increasing anxiety, depression, and emptiness among teens. The more we cling to our emotions, the more we build a world centered on the self—a world that is, paradoxically, too small and too unstable.
Christianity teaches that identity is not found within the self, but restored in relationship with the Creator. The question “Who am I?” is empty without the question “Who is God?” That’s why Scripture repeatedly reminds us, “You belong to God.” Becoming like Jesus is not suppression of the self, but freedom from the distorted self. It is not about the self I construct or the self the world defines—it is a journey of restoration to the original self God designed.
**Misunderstanding what it means to be like Jesus**
The phrase “Be like Jesus” is often reduced to a moral lesson or a call to simply be nicer. In many churches, becoming like Jesus is emphasized only in ethical terms—“Don’t get angry,” “Be kind,” “Be more patient.” But Scripture’s call to Christlikeness goes far beyond character improvement. It is about a transformation of direction and being. The apostle Paul writes, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). This is not self-help, but a declaration of a new identity—one in which the old self dies and the life of Jesus is made visible in us. His love, obedience, patience, and humility are not reproduced by personality or willpower, but are the result of the inner transformation brought by the Holy Spirit.
To “be like Jesus” is not about imitation—it is a deep spiritual journey where the old self dies daily, and Christ’s life grows in us through the Word and prayer. It is not repression but true freedom. The path to becoming who we were truly created to be is not found by seeking ourselves, but by encountering ourselves anew in Christ.
The world shouts louder and louder, “Be yourself!” But Christianity still whispers quietly, “Follow Jesus. That is where your true self is found.”
Why, then, are people so captivated by the idea of authenticity? Beneath it lies the structural instability and identity confusion of modern society. Previous generations received some sense of identity from frameworks like family, workplace, or religion. Today, that’s no longer the case. With the emphasis on autonomy and diversity, individuals are burdened with the responsibility of defining who they are. Society keeps saying, “You must be yourself,” yet few actually know who they are.
In this confusion, people turn to outward style, preferences, careers, or relationships to define themselves. Some pursue self through travel, others through social media content, others by crafting personal values and life philosophies. But this always ends in comparison and anxiety. The more likes others receive, the more fabulous the lives of influencers seem, the more hollow “being yourself” begins to feel. Authenticity becomes not freedom, but a new kind of pressure—another system of judgment and performance.
At this point, Christianity offers a radically different standard. The gospel does not say, “Be true to yourself,” but “Be made new in Christ.” Christlikeness is not about maximizing potential or amplifying emotions. It begins when, even if I don’t know who I am, I accept how God sees me. Scripture says we were created in God’s image, but that image has been distorted by sin. Therefore, restoration is not self-discovery, but image-recovery. This is the essence of being like Jesus.
Seen this way, Christlikeness is not about being a good person—it is about becoming a new person. Jesus revealed what it means to live as a human in perfect relationship with God. He did not succeed or gain recognition by worldly standards, but lived firmly in truth and love. His life sets a direction for us—the path of self-denial, not self-assertion; of service over popularity; of taking up the cross instead of endless competition. This road is narrow and unfamiliar, but it is the way to truly finding the self.
This truth is not a theological theory but a reality to be lived out. We suffer under the pressure to be more ourselves as we constantly compare our lives to others on social media. But life in Christ already answers the questions of who we are and why we live. Identity is not something we build—it is something given in Christ, as a gift. We do not need to strive to become “a better me,” but live according to the image of Christ that is already given. That is true freedom. That is the most blessed way of living “authentically.”
In the end, what Christianity means by “becoming like Jesus” is not about negating the self. It is about recovering the true self. It is a journey away from the self I constructed, the self others expect, or the self demanded by the world—back to the self God originally created. To become like Jesus is not to lose who I am, but to find my truest self. The world keeps saying, “Be yourself,” but Christianity proclaims a deeper truth:
“You are a new creation in Christ.”
The life of Christlikeness is entirely different from unstable self-pursuit. It does not depend on external labels or shifting trends. It is a journey of rediscovering who I am through the Creator’s gaze. What we often call “authenticity” is usually tied to fleeting emotions, preferences, or traits. But the self spoken of in Scripture is rooted in the profound essence of being made in the image of God—an essence that can only be restored in Christ. So to become like Jesus is not mere moral effort—it is the recovery of original identity.
Christlikeness is tied to the biblical call to discipleship. Jesus said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). This is not about suppression or sacrifice for its own sake. It is about liberation from the distorted self—freedom from the unstable self that craves the approval of others. Self-denial becomes the beginning of true self-discovery. Taking up the cross becomes a form of spiritual independence from the world’s standards. Following Christ is not about erasing ourselves—it is about receiving life the world can never offer.
Modern culture defines self-worth as “the power to believe in yourself.” But Christianity defines it as “how God sees you.” Christlikeness is not self-hatred. In fact, the gospel gives us a stunning identity. In John 15, Jesus says, “I am the vine, you are the branches.” This describes a connected identity—receiving life and growing in communion with Christ. When we are rooted in Him, we gain the most stable answer to the question, “Who am I?”
This theological identity shapes real life. In a world of competitive workplaces, performance-driven social media, and appearance-based judgments, Christian identity is easily shaken. But a Christ-centered self, formed through Scripture and prayer, becomes strong enough to rise above comparison. The statement, “I am a child of God in Christ,” is more powerful than any title the world can offer. It is not merely a belief—it is a foundation for life.
Especially for Gen Z and Millennials, who are constantly told to “find your own meaning,” the Christian view of identity offers a powerful alternative. Within the church community, grounding oneself in Christ and walking together toward Christlikeness provides emotional and spiritual stability. In fact, recent spiritual movements increasingly call for a return to “living like Jesus” or “being a little Jesus”—practical slogans that seek to reclaim a moral and spiritual compass for this turbulent era.
Yet this path can be lonely. Saying “Be yourself” is easy to affirm. Saying “Live like Jesus” often sounds like outdated moralism. The world cheers for stories of self-achievement, but Christianity speaks of the beauty of self-sacrifice. That tension is real. But in that very struggle, the path of the cross that Jesus walked calls out to us again. Believing there is glory at the end of that path, we choose to follow not ourselves—but Him.
Ultimately, we strive to be like Jesus not just to become better people, but to become living testimonies of the gospel. The world says, “Find yourself.” Jesus says, “Follow me.” That contrast shines more brightly in this age of confusion. As we grow in Christlikeness, our lives become a mirror that reflects a version of self the world cannot offer—the true self.
In this era of identity confusion, we still confess:
“I have decided to follow Jesus. In becoming like Him, I am recovering who I truly am.”
And at the end of that road, we realize—
There is a greater calling than “being myself”: the truth of becoming like Christ.
Maeil Scripture Journal | Today’s World, A View Through the Word
