'I want to live like Jesus': Reformed bad boy Justin Bieber says he's following a 'pretty awesome template' on how to be loving, gracious and kind

He's considered the bad boy of squeaky clean pop with a string of arrests and juvenile offences to his name. 

And while the 21-year-old may be considered 'heavenly' to some teenage girls, Justin Bieber has now brazenly compared himself to the central figure of Christianity, Jesus.

In a new interview with Complex Magazine, Bieber has said that he wishes to follow the historical figure's 'pretty awesome template' on love and kindness.

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Drowning: Justin Bieber is featured on the cover of the October/November issue of Complex Magazine, saying that he wishes to live his life like Jesus

Drowning: Justin Bieber is featured on the cover of the October/November issue of Complex Magazine, saying that he wishes to live his life like Jesus

Speaking in the October/November issue he said: 'I just wanna honestly live like Jesus. Not be Jesus – I could never – I don’t want that to come across weird. 

'He created a pretty awesome template of how to love people and how to be gracious and kind. If you believe it, he died for our sins.' 

The pop star, who was launched into the music industry at the tender age of 12, explained that while is not religious and thinks going to church is 'weird' he does have faith.

'We have the greatest healer of all, and his name is Jesus Christ,' he added. 'And he really heals. This is it. It’s time that we all share our voice. Whatever you believe. Share it. I’m at a point where I’m not going to hold this in.'

Magic man: The cover and inside photos show Justin looking like a magician attempting to escape handcuff and chains underwater

Magic man: The cover and inside photos show Justin looking like a magician attempting to escape handcuff and chains underwater

On his understanding of following the faith, he added: 'You don’t need to go to church to be a Christian. If you go to Taco Bell, that doesn’t make you a taco.' 

The theme of the beautifully shot cover and inside photos from the bi-monthly publication appeared to be of a magician handcuffed and chained trying to escape the shackles underwater. 

Seemingly acting as a metaphor as he breaks away from his bad image, Justin was captured doing his best Harry Houdini impersonation in a white dress shirt as he tried to remove the restraints.

In the interview, the Baby singer opened up about how he has bounced back from his bad behaviour including run-ins with the law, going to jail for DUI, urinating in a mop and drag racing.

Justin said: 'I’m not going to say I’m sorry for the things that I’ve done because I think that it allows me to tell a story. I forgot what I was about, what my mom raised me to be. I veered off, and I got tainted.

Not sorry: The former child star has said he won't say sorry for what he's done, but just veered off track

Not sorry: The former child star has said he won't say sorry for what he's done, but just veered off track

Back on track: The star explained that his faith does not include going to church

Back on track: The star explained that his faith does not include going to church

'I got into a little bit of trouble — nothing that other 20-year-olds don’t get into — just rebelling a little bit. Now, being 21, I’m coming into my own and around some pretty cool people who are not afraid to tell me what’s real.' 

Justin's media presence has similarly been plagued by his connection to teenage girlfriend Selena Gomez, with whom he has similarly cut the ties. 

Justin may have surprised fans as he likened his relationship with the brunette beauty to more of a marriage than typical puppy love in the new editorial, revealing that he moved in with her at 18. 

'I learned a lot. I moved in with my girlfriend when I was 18. Started my own life with her. It was a marriage kind of thing. Living with a girl, it was just too much at that age. But we were so in love. Nothing else mattered.'

Young love: The 21-year-old singer opened up about his old relationship with Selena Gomez as he discussed living together as he said: 'It was a marriage kind of thing', as they were pictured t the Teen Choice Awards in July 2012

Young love: The 21-year-old singer opened up about his old relationship with Selena Gomez as he discussed living together as he said: 'It was a marriage kind of thing', as they were pictured t the Teen Choice Awards in July 2012

He began his relationship with the now 23-year-old beauty in 2011 but seemingly attributed their youth to why things did not work out as he explained: 'We were all about each other.

'But when it’s like that and you get your value from that, people will always disappoint you. Your girl or your dude, they’re always going to disappoint you. 

See the latest Justin Bieber photos, news and gossip 

'Your full identity can’t be in that person. My identity was in her. Her identity was in me. When stuff would happen, I would lose my freakin’ mind, and she would lose her mind, and we would fight so hard because we were so invested in each other.'

He has seemingly matured from this relationship as he continued: 'I can’t lean on people. I got to lean on God. I gotta trust in him through all my situations. Then, hopefully, my other relationships will flourish around me.'

Broken: Justin seemed to blame their young age for why things did not work out between them - pictured at the American Music Awards in November 2011-  as he explained: 'We would fight so hard because we were so invested in each other'

Broken: Justin seemed to blame their young age for why things did not work out between them - pictured at the American Music Awards in November 2011-  as he explained: 'We would fight so hard because we were so invested in each other'

Though he was open about his relationship that went awry, he also seemingly implied that he's moved on with someone new. 

The What Do You Mean hitmaker, who has been romantically linked to 20-year-old British beauty Jayde Pierce, said: 'I’m kind of seeing this girl, right?' 

'I’m shy about doing or saying certain things, and then I say it and it’s not even a problem. And I’ll remember when I couldn’t.

'You’re just scarred and you don’t do something because in your last relationship they’d freak out, but [the new person is] just like, "What are you talking about?"'  

New flame: The What Do You Mean hitmaker has recently been linked to British beauty Jayde Pierce - as they were pictured together in LA in May - he seemed to imply that he was seeing someone new in the interview

New flame: The What Do You Mean hitmaker has recently been linked to British beauty Jayde Pierce - as they were pictured together in LA in May - he seemed to imply that he was seeing someone new in the interview

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