“…the likeness of His son…” Romans 8:29b

Theologians have often disagreed on the meaning and implications of this passage. The central message of the verses, though, that everyone does agree on is: God desires ALL fully devoted followers of Christ to resemble God’s Son, Jesus – to be conformed to His image.

Many find the words, “…those God foreknew He also predestined…” hard to understand. God is not limited by linear time; He is in the past, future and present all at the same time. How does this happen? We can only know that if God is truly omniscient and unlimited in His scope or power, then linear time is no hindrance to Him. God knows who will accept His truth of redemption, allowing His Spirit to work in the transformation process to look like Jesus.

There is, however, a more profound meaning in these five understandable words, for God called those He foreknew, and Paul used the Greek word, “kaleo” (kah-leh’-oh), for “called” (v.28), which may infer the action of inviting. We know God desires that none should perish, in hopes that all would come to the saving knowledge of Christ (2 Peter 3:9). In any case, God’s call is divine and may come in a variety of ways: for Paul, it was on the road to Damascus; for Peter, it was by the sea; for me, it was in a church service.

While God works to make all things work together for the good, it is always according to His purposes. It is not correct to think that God makes all things come out fine in the wash of time. God is working in the lives of His children to make things turn out in a good way that reflects His good character and the precepts of His Kingdom… personified in His Son, Jesus Christ. He wants Believers to reflect the “image” of His Son (v.29). The Greek word Paul used for “image” or “likeness” is “eikonos” (pronounced i-kahn’-nahs), and its translation goes beyond a simple mirror image, by reflecting the essence of someone or something; from it, we get the English word, “icon”. From the very beginning, God desired man to bear His image (Genesis 1:26). Sin entered the picture and man began to reproduce after his own image (Genesis 5:3), a confederate image which was far inferior to God’s plan and purpose for man.

This is how Paul described how one is to become transformed into the image of Christ:

“For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son, that He might be The Firstborn among many brothers. And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; Those He justified, He also glorified.” (vv. 29 – 30)

 The transformation process begins with a calling. God knows us intimately – there’s nothing hidden from His purview, and He loves us anyway. God justifies the sinner by the work of redemption upon the cross. The fully devoted follower of Christ is glorified for entrance into Heaven… until then, the Believer is preparing for that moment – God shapes the heart and mind to become more detached from the world and more attached to God’s goodness and righteousness. It changes the way one thinks. But it’s not only about what one believes, it’s also about how one behaves. The process is all part of “the good” (v.28) God is working in one’s heart and mind.

Being conformed to the image of Christ leaves no room for approximation. It is not getting “close enough” or being somewhat like Him. To conform to a pattern, one cannot find short-cuts, or even omit one part of what the intended outcome is to be. We are to be conformed to Christ’s likeness… to be like clay in the hand of the potter. Many are like water, conformed to the shape it fills the easiest and quickest. However, a potter takes clay, forms it, leaves it alone to dry, paints it, leaves it alone to dry, glazes it, and fires it. None of the steps can be left out. Afterwards, the pottery becomes a usable ceramic piece. The potter/owner determines the function, the use, and the likeness of the ceramic piece. God is The Potter and we are the clay (Isaiah 64:8; Jeremiah 18). Paul used the Greek word, “prototokon” (pronounced, pro-to’-to-kahn), translated, “firstborn”, from which the word “prototype” is related. A prototype is the original, and every duplicate is just that… a duplicate in every way. We are to resemble Christ, the prototype, in every way… especially in delivering His grace and love to the world.

Christian, what is God shaping you to be? Where are you in the process of transformation? How close do you resemble Jesus? Do you feel like your being left alone for a spell? God is at work to bring you to the good He has in store for you.

Have a blessed day…