Romans 8:29
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.
Sometimes we get unnecessarily bent out of shape regarding gender terms in the Bible. For instance, women take exception with the exclusive use of male terms in the Bible describing strength, power and the promises of God. Men don’t feel comfortable identifying with terms that connote feminine characteristics. But if we all could ever learn to drop our perception of who we think we are, and gravitate to who God has for us to become, we would realize a totally new us…new creations, new creatures, made in His image and likeness.
Galatians 3:28 declares, There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female; for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. So ladies, you can feel comfortable and confident with the fact that although you are females in the flesh, you are sons and heirs in the Spirit. Your inheritance is not predetermined by your gender, race or any other carnal designation. Our walk with God is a Spiritual thing. And brothers, if the women can be satisfied with being sons, we gotta embrace being brides - the brides of Christ that is.
The Bible refers to the Church as the Bride of Christ. That certainly has a female connotation to it, and I can think of one reason that is so fitting. I don’t mean to generalize, or sound sexist, but in my observation, when it comes to beauty and appearance, you ladies are always on point. When it comes to looks, body image, skin tone and the like, women are not complacent. Everyday in every way they seek to make changes. They seek to improve. They are never satisfied with being mediocre, mundane, regular or less than. That’s what a bride does. So the description is definitely accurate; and something we all ought to strive for.
So, our scripture this morning that speaks to us of Sonship goes way beyond human inheritance. As the children of God we have inherited so much more than we could ever imagine. The writer hints of our precious promises in the next few verses as he exclaims, Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. I think we all can agree that through Jesus Christ we have obtained a blessing of unimaginable proportions. There are no words that can even begin to describe the glory that awaits those of us that love and serve God. But there is a condition. To receive the promise, we gotta look, and act like Jesus. We must be conformed to the image of Christ.
And this is where it gets interesting. The transformation from our old sinful selves to our new Christlike images is personal. Though we gather corporately to worship and pray, the determination to conform is individual. I can’t conform for you and you can’t change for me. Everyone has to look in the mirror and make a determination for themselves to be a child of God.
That’s why I don’t understand why we argue with one another in what we individually see? The Bible says, For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. In other words we see what we see. And I don’t discount that. I respect your view of God even if I don’t see things your way. But don’t try and convince me I’m crazy for what I see. I see what I see. I look for the image of God and I see the eyes of Gods as a loving Father, ruler of everything. I see those same eyes and same attributes in Jesus Christ my glorious Savior and King . And when I look into the mirror, pass my reflection, pass my image, my hurt, pain, doubts, fear, pass my humanity, I see those same eyes, and I know that’s the Holy Spirit residing deep inside me. That’s the man in the mirror I see.
While there are countless things God does for us in route to our complete transformation, please note we have a huge part to play. God calls us, but we individually have to answer. Simply attending church with my family and friends is not an answer. Participating in religious events is not an answer. Conforming to the image of Christ while attending and participating is the answer. God justifies, but we must work at sanctification. God promises glorification to those that hold on until the end, but in the process each of us must resolve to be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
I found this wonderful post that depicts Jesus looking in a mirror and the reflection he saw was each of us. That’s an incredible thought. But on the other side of that portrayal is what we see when we look into a mirror.
Dear Children of God, Does the man in your mirror resemble Jesus?
God bless
