The Bible tells us that the student is not above his teacher & as we become fully trained, we will endeavor to be like our teacher. Discipleship is really about adhering to a way of life and the one they are following.
We must die to self and live for Jesus to be what God wants us to be. What God does is take us where we are, right in the midst of our messed up life, and begins to shape us more and more into the image of Jesus.
: We learn that God is not some impersonal force who looks down His nose at us and uses us as pawns in His cosmic game of chess. Instead we learn that God cared enough to send us Son to redeem us.
It is essential that we allow the spirit to be alive & work in our church. We have this treasure as in jars of clay in which Christ dwells and is manifested in our lives.
Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children and walk in love as Christ also loved you and gave himself up as an offering and sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.