WE BECAME CHRIST'S IMAGE

TUESDAY 29 MARCH 2022

In Christianity, our spiritual consummation is Christ's image; we are fashioned in His glorious image. In a nutshell, the main purpose of being born again is to become exactly like Jesus Christ because we function as God's dwelling temple on earth.

Reference: Romans 8:29 English Standard Version (ESV) "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."

Hebrews 1:3 noted that Christ, the Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being...After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. Then something remarkable happens to those who now believe in Him, having received Him as Lord. In other words, the purification He provided for sins was not good for nothing. As Christ is the image of the invisible God, we, the born again Christians, are being conformed to the image of the unseen Christ.

Now watch this: 1 John 4:17 (NLT) reads, "And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect...we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world." The NKJV translation says, "Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world." The expression, "As He is, so are we in this world", simply means that our likeness to Him is nothing less than being His exact image, just as He is the exact representation of God's being while on earth.

Here are many ways we've become the image of Christ in this present world -

Firstly, in Christ Jesus, we have His divine nature: In confirming our calling and election, Simon Peter, the servant and apostle of Jesus Christ wrote: "Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires" (2 Peter 1:4 NIV). Beloved, as partakers of Christ's divine nature, we have become His exact image in this present world, and so we function as the express imprint of His person, here on earth.

Secondly, we are constantly shaped in His character: Ephesians 4:22-24 reads, "You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness" (NRSV). Before being born again, the old man was corrupted by nature. But now, as new creation, Christ's character is continually formed in us by being clothed with the new self, which is the image of Christ.

Thirdly in office, we are Kings and priests unto God: In the book of Hebrews, Jesus is known as our high priest in Hebrews 2:17. As fully human, He became a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, that he might make atonement for the sins of all people. Now in heaven, He is our Great High Priest, according to Hebrews 4:14. Also Revelation 19:16 says, "On his robe at his thigh was written this title: King of all kings and Lord of all lords" (NLT). As God's people, living like Christ here on earth, Revelations 1:6 says that we've been made kings and priests unto God and His Father, in our service to Him.

Fourthly, we are the light of the world: Jesus says, "I am the light of the World" (John 8:12). Having being born into Christ, we are the light of the world, and we must function accordingly as shining examples of Christ in this present age. Matthew 5:14 reads, "You are the light of the world." This is our true manifestation in this world, because we are crafted in Christ's image.

The fifth is that we been received in God's Kingdom as sons: The Bible says, 'behold, a voice out of the heavens said, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased"'(NIV). This is God Himself testifying about Jesus, as His beloved Son. Likewise, Ephesians 1:5 (ESV) reads, "God predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. According to this knowledge, we, as born again Christians, are all sons of God because He has called us worthy, having become Christ's image on earth.

The sixth is that we are increasing in God's glory: 2 Corinthians 3:18 says, "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." Just like Christ, we are sharers of God's eternal glory because Jesus said, "I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one" (John 17:22 NLT). Shalom!

Scripture Reading - 1 Corinthians 11:1; Colossians 3:4; Galatians 2:20; 1 John 2:6.

Exuberant Declaration: I am born again through the living and enduring Word of God. Therefore, I have put on Christ, which is symbolic of the exact representation of His image. The realities of my Christian life are the perfect possession and expressions of all which is in Christ Jesus. Glory to God!