When we look at the greatest calling of God for our lives, we find that of all things, it is to be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. When we think of such a statement, we have to see what that means. In Romans 8:28, the Bible states “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose. First, the Word states that we are not just called, but called according to a purpose. Second, we find that the purpose that God has for us has been set up at all times. Ephesians 1:4 states; “Just as He chose us in Him before the foundations of the world”. And third, in verse 5, the word says “having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself”.
[1] The main purpose and ultimate goal of our adoption, and predestination, is to be conformed to the image of His Son. Romans 8:29 states; “For whom He foreknew, He predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son.” This image is not only the holy life, the pure life, and the servant life of all that Jesus was, but to the extent of the example that He demonstrated of His father as He walked on this earth. Jesus walked in the power of the Holy Ghost. He moved in signs, wonders, and miracles. As the church, and as individuals, the ministry of Jesus needs to be ever-present in our midst. Acts 1:8 states, “You shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost comes upon you. Then you will be witnesses of me”. This witness means to walk as Jesus walked, be a representation of all that Jesus is, and demonstrate as Jesus did to the nations of the world, the glory and the kingdom of His father. Remember, salvation is a powerful word.
[2] Galatians 2:20 says; “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who lives, but Christ lives in me, and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God”. In 2nd Corinthians 3:18, this transformation is accomplished as we stay focused by the Holy Spirit on His glory. “But we all with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror, are BEING transformed into the same image from glory to glory”. The Holy Spirit in our lives always moves to constantly hold us in front of the glory of Jesus Christ. As we behold this glory, we are slowly being changed into the image of the one we are beholding. This change brings us from one glory level to the next. The goal of this is that someday we see absolutely none of ourselves, but only the image of the one who is seated far above all things. We are being changed into the image of the son of God. That’s how we will be called ‘sons of God with power. John 1:12.
[3] This is accomplished by what the Spirit does. By operating in us, He strengthens us to the place where Christ can dwell in us by faith. Ephesians 3:16-17 states; “That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with all might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith”. In this place, we can comprehend the complete depth of all that the love of God is. When we arrive at this place, we can come to the place where we surrender everything to the one who delights to transform us. The power of that transformation that follows, states in verse 20; “Now to Him who can do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us”. Colossians 1:27 sums it all up when it says; “To them, God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
It’s so amazing to be able to come to the place of attempting to know all that God has planned for us. He didn’t just come to save us, but to completely transform us. And that transformation is to the highest level of God’s delight, and that delight is into the image and powerful demonstration of His son. And for that transformation to be accomplished, 1 Peter 1:3 says that you and I possess everything we need for life and Godliness and by the Holy Spirit in our lives, that goal will become our predestined result!
