Imagine for a moment that just before you set out on your morning drive to work a friend calls you up. In a somewhat frantic voice your friend tells you that all of the old traffic laws had changed overnight.
Starting immediately, green no longer meant "go" and red no longer meant "stop." On top of that, all of the signs that you used to follow were now invalid. The old laws were out the window, but any new ones were yet to be written. What thoughts and feelings would run through your mind as you prepared to leave your house?
Whatever thoughts you might have wouldn't be reassuring ones, I'm sure. Change is scary enough for a lot of us; but when it occurs quickly, and without any warning it can be petrifying. What makes it so frightening is because one way we survive is by being able to predict our environment and then act accordingly. When predictability flies out the window, our sense of security does too.
Don't get me wrong. Some change is, without question, essential. In our Christianity, for example, change is quite essential. In Romans 8:29 we read that, "For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son." The keyword in this passage being conformed, or changed.
Of course, this doesn't mean that we literally become like Christ, but rather we take on a Christlikeness. Apostle Paul is pointing out here that God chose for His people to become like His Son, so that Jesus would be the "firstborn among many. If you skip ahead to Romans 8:30, Paul discerns features of a process by which we are changed to become the very image of Christ.
God carries out these things, but they do involve us. This, of course, requires us to change, or conform in ways that we may not have otherwise. Our willingness, desire, and participation is imperative. I won't not try to sugarcoat anything for you. As with any other beneficial change or transformation, being conformed to the image of Christ will involve some pain (Romans 8:15-17; Hebrews 2:10).
The question I have for you today is this: "Are you up to the task?" Yes, there will be a certain amount of suffering. You must be called or "in him" (Romans 8:29). And being called involves a response. Those in Christ are the chosen. Although we can never do enough to be given a status of approval (Romans 4:25); in order to be saved, we must be justified, or accepted by God. This does have some requirements (Romans 8:1, 9).
Conformity to Christlikeness also means becoming glorified (Romans 8:30). This only occurs when God transforms us into something higher and more dignified. We become better than we were. We are gloriously changed into the very image of Christ. We are holy and pure in body, soul, and spirit. This involves the power of the resurrection (Romans 8:11). Certainly, none of us can measure up to the glory of God, however, in Christ, He elevates us with new godliness.
Without a doubt, there's a whole lot more to this. But, what I've tried to do today is to present some basic elements of being conformed to Christ for your consideration. This is a wonderful change that we (Christians) go through to become children of God. As I mentioned, this change will involve some pain and suffering. Even so, we cannot grow in Christ without change.
In closing, I repeat my question: "Are you up to the task?" Not everyone will be. To be called, justified, and glorified by God is worth more than anything you will ever do in your entire lifetime. Are you ready and willing to accept the challenge?
Scripture: 1 Peter 1:14; Romans 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17; Psalm 119:1-176; Matthew 7:21-23
Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray to be more like You in every way; I know that I have faults and am sinful, for sure; But even in my imperfect state, by Your mercy, grace, and love You accept me as I am. And for that, I offer You my praises and am eternally grateful. Amen
May God bless you,
Meredith
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.