More Like Jesus

“For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” – Romans 8:29

God knew us, as many as would come to him through his only son Jesus Christ and he predestined us to a glorious inheritance, a wonderful destination- to be conformed to the image of his dear son.

The joy of a father is that a son resembles him. In some cultures, the first son is often named after his father and he will be expected to look, behave and even take up the father’s business or profession.

The perfect example that God has set before us is his son Jesus Christ, who is the perfect replica of his father. God adopted us all into his family through faith in the atoning blood of Jesus and he set Jesus as our only example to be conformed to so that Jesus will be the firstborn among many brethren.

In being conformed to the image of Christ, two things are very important. First, our lifestyle, and then, our will. As an earthly father rejoices when his son behaves like him, our heavenly father rejoices when our lifestyle reflects his glory. Our thoughts, actions, and dispositions must reflect Jesus. The early apostles were first called Christians in Antioch when people observed their way of life for one year and they concluded that they were ‘little Christs’. Acts 11:26.

One thing characterized the life of Christ, He was always doing his father’s will. Even at the most difficult point of yielding to suffering and death, he said in Luke 22:42 “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done”. This is Jesus who yielded his will for the will of God to be done. The more we are willing to give up our will for the will of God, the more we become like Jesus.

HOW DO WE BECOME LIKE HIM?

A responsibility to behold him. Philippians 2:13 says “For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure”. God works within us through the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to us. But, we have a responsibility to behold him. Behold Him in his word, in prayer and communion.

A responsibility to be changed into His image. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord”.  The Holy Spirit reveals the glory of Jesus to us and shows us areas of our lives that are yet to become like him. We then take it to him to help us to be changed into that image.

If we are devoted to this, we will see our lives reflecting Jesus and we will be able to shine as light in a dark world.

PRAYER

Father, please help me to cooperate with the Holy Spirit to transform me into the image of Christ so my life can bring you glory. Amen.