“God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son . . . We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him."
Romans 8:29 (The Message) From the very beginning, God’s plan has been to make you like his Son, Jesus. God announced this intention at creation: “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image and likeness’” (Genesis 1:26 NCV). In all of creation, only human beings are made in God’s image. It’s a great privilege—and it gives you dignity. What does it mean to be made in God’s image? It’s one of those concepts that’s too big to fully understand, but here’s some of what it means:
But there’s a problem: The image of God in you is incomplete and has been damaged and distorted by sin. So God sent Jesus on a mission to restore the full image that you—and everyone else ever born—have lost. What does the full “image and likeness” of God look like? It looks like Jesus Christ! The Bible says: “God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son . . . We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him” (Romans 8:29 The Message). The Bible says Jesus is “the exact likeness of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4 NLT), “the visible image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15 NLT), and “the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3 NIV). People often use the phrase “like father, like son” to refer to family resemblance. When people see my likeness in my kids, it pleases me. In the same way, God wants his children to bear his image and likeness. The Bible says you were “created to be like God—truly righteous and holy” (Ephesians 4:24 NLT). Live like an image bearer today so that when people look at you, they’ll think of how much you’re like your heavenly Father!
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“We shall become mature people, reaching to the very height of Christ's full stature."
Ephesians 4:13 (GNT) Discipleship is the process of becoming like Christ. It’s a journey that will last a lifetime! This is how it works: Every day God wants you to become a little more like him. As the Bible says, “You have begun to live the new life, in which you are being made new and are becoming like the One who made you” (Colossians 3:10 NCV). Today people are obsessed with speed. But God is more interested in strength and stability than swiftness. You might want the quick fix, the shortcut, the on-the-spot solution. Maybe you’re looking for a sermon, a seminar, or an experience that will instantly resolve all problems, remove all temptation, and release you from all growing pains. But real maturity is never the result of a single experience, no matter how powerful or moving. Growth is gradual. The Bible says, “Our lives gradually [become] brighter and more beautiful as God enters our lives and we become like him” (2 Corinthians 3:18 The Message). People often build their identity around their defects. You might even tell yourself you can’t change, saying, “It’s just the way I am.” The unconscious worry is that if you let go of your habit, your hurt, or your hang-up, you won’t know who you are anymore. This fear can slow, or even stop, your growth. So how do you let go of those old habits and grow to be more like Christ? How do you conform your character to his? By developing Christ-like habits to replace those old habits. Your character is the sum total of your habits—and habits take time to develop. You can’t claim to be kind unless you are habitually kind, showing kindness without even thinking about it. You can’t claim to have integrity unless it is your habit to always be honest. A husband who is faithful to his wife most of the time is not faithful at all! Your habits define your character. There’s just one way to develop the habits of Christ-like character: You have to practice them, over and over, until they become part of your identity. And that takes time! But over time, you—and the people around you—will see the difference. As Paul urged Timothy, “Practice these things. Devote your life to them so that everyone can see your progress” (1 Timothy 4:15 GW). “And Mary said: ‘My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.’"
Luke 1:46-47 (NIV) When it comes to planning, many Christians act like atheists. They realize Jesus saved them, but they don’t really trust him. They think they can plan their life any way they want to. But the reality is God created everyone, and he made each person for a unique purpose. He has a specific destiny for each individual. About two thousand years ago, God had a plan for a young woman named Mary. He had created her and chosen her to become the mother of the Son of God. What was Mary’s response when an angel told her about God’s plan? She didn’t say, “I’ve got my own plans for my life. I’m too busy. I have to do what’s best for me.” No, she realized God had a purpose for her life, and she was willing to do whatever he wanted. Her response was a song of praise: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior” (Luke 1:46-47 NIV). Mary recognized that God was her Lord and Savior, and she was eager to do his will. She trusted him with her life, even though she knew no one would believe her when she told them what the angel said. Do you trust that God has made you for a specific destiny? The Bible says, “Know that the Lord is God. He made us, and we belong to him; we are his people, the sheep he tends” (Psalm 100:3 NCV). Many people will miss God’s plan for their lives by about 18 inches—the distance between their head and their heart. They intellectually believe the Gospel, but they don’t let it change their hearts. The truth is that you were not made for your own sake. You were made by God, and you were made for God. You might know quantum physics. You might understand chaos theory. You may even know how to build a rocket ship. But if you don’t know God, you’ve missed the purpose of life. At the end of your life, God won’t care how well you did in your career or ask to see your bank account balance. Instead, he’ll ask you this: “Did you get to know me? Did you build a relationship with my Son, whom I sent to Earth to die on the cross for you?” The most important thing in life is to know God—not to know about him, but to know him personally. |
AuthorTaken from Daily Hope by Rick Warren. Categories
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