You become like God by making decisions as he would in your place, subject to your circumstance

Living according to the character of Jesus is not the same as reproducing his circumstances. When Jesus said that we should be as he is,² he did not mean that we should time travel back 2,000 years, learn Aramaic, adopt ancient clothes, be raised as a Jew, or be crucified by them.

Character is not circumstantial. It is not defined by your surroundings, resources, advantages, or disadvantages, but rather by how you respond to what you can change. You can’t accurately predict how Jesus would live in your place without separating what you can and can’t change. The differences between you and God that lie outside of your control don’t excuse you from changing what lies within your control. The differences between you and God that you can control are limited to the differences in the choices you make when facing the same situation.

How Jesus would live in your situation, subject to your circumstances, is not the same as how he would live in his own. You have a host of advantages he did not have, including internet, hot showers, antibiotics, flushing toilets, clean water, abundant food, cars, and advanced language. He also had a host of advantages you do not have, including greater knowledge, wisdom, and power. In order to know how Jesus would live in your place, you have to adapt his example to the different circumstances you live in.

Jesus knows all things, and you do not. But what would he think, feel, and do if all he knew was what you presently know? He would do the best he could with what he knew, including doing all he could to learn more. Go and live likewise.

Jesus has power to do mighty miracles, and you do not. But what would he think, feel, and do if he didn’t have power to do mighty miracles? He would implement God’s will to the full extent of the power he had. Go and live likewise.

Notice that true limitations are never questions of choice. Suppose you believe that Jesus would always tell the truth. You cannot excuse yourself for doing anything less, because while you can’t decide to have perfect wisdom or miraculous power, you can decide to be honest.