In His image
And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. Romans 8:27-30
From the text, there is this great promise that every believer could look up to. The ones who “love God and are called according to His purpose” are destined to reflect the image of God. In the beginning, before sin entered into this world Adam and Eve reflect the image of God. This was what God declared when He created them. “And God made man in His own likeness. In the likeness of God He made him. He made both male and female” (Genesis 1:27). Yet this image was blemished with sin when Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command. But God’s promise is that when a person trusts Christ, he or she will be once again restored to become a new person. “Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him” (Colossians 3:10). This manifestation of a new nature will constantly be renewed as Christians continue to grow knowing Christ, the giver of this new nature. This progression of growing in His image will continue on until believers were taken to be with their Creator for eternity. This time, they will receive the heavenly image God prepared for them. “Just as we are now like the earthly man, we will someday be like the heavenly man” (1 Corinthians 15:49). Until then, while awaiting for that glorious day, every believer should continue to grow in their relationship with God. When sin entered in this world, people were blinded by their sinful nature. But once Christ entered into one’s life, the veil is removed and no longer blinded for the things of God. The more it becomes clearer that this life in Christ should be reflected in everything you think and do. This work of conforming your image to the heavenly is part of the work of the Holy Spirit within you. “So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Let Him work His will for your life. Surrender to His leading daily so that when Christ appears you shall be the person He wants you to be. “Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is” (1 John 3:2).
Blesings.
