(Romans 8:29) “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.”
What does it mean to be conformed into the image of Christ? It means to be changed, but if change is required what does that look like and why must it happen, a modification to our original state must and will take place!
This change is a requirement from God; in fact it is all about His will, plan and purpose. The idea originated with God, and therefore it is God-Centred and it has His backing, it cannot fail! Our great God will achieve His purpose and yes if we received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry “Abba Father!” Then we will have the “process of change” evident in our lives. Sadly for some life’s journey may be filled with u-turns and detours, but ultimately God will have His way, His purpose is majestically placed on display, in the glory of His brilliance, we see the Lord Jesus high and lifted up, we witness His great accomplishment in spite of our unbelief at times. But the gift of faith in our risen Saviour is a wonderful help for us, even though we may have so many things against us in this life, it teaches and convinces us that the Lord Jesus has overcome the world. That thought ignites an awareness that is so real I actually feel my body tingle with excitement. What a glorious truth! Faith enables us to cry, YES I BELIEVE! Believe what? Believe exactly what this verse teaches us; “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son”, we begin to understand the power of the resurrection! The puzzle pieces to life begin to take shape as we see our lives carefully being changed from a sinful self-centred egotistical arrogant individual who had once been ruled by folly, to someone “putting on the mind of Christ”. It is a phenomenal accomplishment. It is impossible outside of the finished work of Calvary; it has nothing to do with the abilities of man, absolutely nothing! It is all about Christ and Him crucified; creation started with Him and salvation ends with Him, how thankful I am for this truth, as I have said in times past if it was not for my glorious Saviour I would be begging bread in some gutter somewhere, but now I have a hope that one day I shall be like Him! It seems like a fairytale! But NO, it is the truth, God Himself, the only true God, the God who was, who is and is to come, the great I AM, the One who summits to no other as He is supreme above all, the very same God has purposes to conform us into the image of His dear Son, now if that does not blow our minds, then I am not sure if there is life in us. It must excite us and equip us to cry with grateful hearts unto Him as it compels us to fall to our knees and cry out, “Our God reigns”! If we are unable to echo those words, then something is amiss. We must then examine our hearts before our Great Redeemer; sin may be robbing us of understanding this truth. Unbelief and disobedience go hand in hand and we are taught this by Paul from the ensample of our forefather as they journey through the wilderness; “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.” (Romans 8:14)
All those who believe God and endured in faith believing God’s promises entered the Promised Land, but all those who lacked faith and stopped believing God’s promise died in the Wilderness, they never entered the Promised Land! It is sin that causes us to walk in unbelief and to stubble in the dark, let us not be ignorant of its beguiling power. “But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13)
Sin hardens our hearts but “faith wins the victory every time”. We see David with the lion and the bear and even Goliath was no match for His faith in Christ. If we have received the Spirit of adoption whereby we are able to cry Abba father, then God is for us and will never be against us, the trials of life may and will press us hard at times, to see if we stand in Him. Regardless of how many times you may have stumbled, all we need do is remember Samson’s example, although he lost his eyes through disobedience, his hair nevertheless began once again to grow, faith worked in his life as he now enjoys the beauty of God in heaven. Once gold is refined in the fire it is purified and the end result is pure unblemished refine gold. This is the call for all of God’s children, we must go through the fire to be refined and be conformed into the image of His son, our Saviour. There is no other way for the believer. It is when we stop believing God at His word that trouble surrounds us. “So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.” (Hebrews 3:19)
In conclusion; if God has begun a good work in us, we must believe He will complete it, as He shall. “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.” I love the way Paul concludes this verse, “amongst many brothers”. Yes many will make it to heaven and many will be able to testify about the change in their lives, will you be amongst the number, will I? If God has given us the Spirit whereby we are able to cry Abba Father we better believe it even if it cost us our lives in this life, because one day we will hear these glorious words from our heavenly Father, “... and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.” (Revelation 21:7)
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” (Revelation 2:7)
Let faith ignite our hope to serve God and may it help us to love one another with sincerity. For, there is a day coming when we get to heaven, where we will open our eyes and see Him as He is. Even so come quickly Lord Jesus!
Signing off
Tyrone
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