THE DETERMINED OBJECTIVE OF SALVATION -- Tomorrow:
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us." (Romans 8:28-34, NKJV)
Devotion 17 of 33
" . . . He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son . . . "
We are being conformed the "image" of Christ now through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. To the degree we see Jesus, that change is accomplished – "from one stage of glory to another." If we are not beholding Jesus – not "looking" to Him (Heb 12:2) – the change is NOT taking place. There can be no conformity to the image of God's Son independently of the focused consideration of Him. It is simply impossible to become like Jesus by adhering to a set of rules and procedures. There is no earthly counselor, expert in human behavior, or workshop specialist that can do this. It cannot be accomplished by a weekend retreat designed to enable people to get along with each other. Whatever value men may attach to these things, they are absolutely impotent when it comes to accomplishing the purpose of God - -to be conformed to the image of His Son.
Where there is a lack of likeness to Jesus in the individual or group of individuals, there has been a lack of attention given to Him. We know this is the case, because the "light of the knowledge of the glory of God" is beheld "in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor 4:6). The "change" that takes place is sure, and it is precisely what God has determined to be done, because it is administered by the Holy Spirit. As it is written, "But we all, with open face BEHOLDING as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are CHANGED INTO THE SAME IMAGE from glory to glory, even as BY the Spirit of the Lord" (2 Cor 3:18). If the change is not taking place, the Holy Spirit is not working. If He is not working, it is because the person is not beholding Jesus. There is no other explanation for continued moral flaw and spiritual deficiency, and people need cease attempting to come up with one.
When Jesus comes again, the conforming process will reach its culmination. Then, in the fullest and most precise sense, "we shall be like Him!" And what is the means through which that blessed conformity will be accomplished? We are not left to speculate on the matter: "because we shall see Him just as He is." (1 John 3:2). We will be conformed to "the image" that we behold. Then our beholding will be unfettered and complete. We will see Him "just as He is." For that reason, the conformity will be thorough! This is the predestinated purpose of the Almighty. It begins now, and will be consummated at the appearing of Christ. If it has not begun now, it will not be completed then, for the Lord does not finish what others start. He must be the AUTHOR of what He finishes, and the BEGINNING of what He ends (Heb 12:2; Rev 21:6).
Jesus is, then, a pattern of what believers are pre-appointed to become. While this must become our purpose also, that is not the point of this text. Here the Spirit affirms this to be God's predetermined and unwavering purpose. This is the settled objective of the whole redemptive enterprise. There is not the slightest chance this will not be accomplished in those in whom the work was started and advanced by the Holy Spirit. There is equally not the faintest probability that it will be finished in those in whom it was not started, and in which progress was not made.
As demonstrated throughout Divine history, God is fully capable of accomplishing His purpose. His word has gone out on this matter, and it will not return unto Him "void," or "without accomplishing" what He has determined (Isa 55:11, NASB). Those whom He foreknew will be "conformed to the image of His Son." Their perception of Jesus will precisely determine what they become. It all begins here, in the midst of suffering. It will be brought to a glorious consummation when God shows, or unveils, "the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (1 Tim 6:15).
THE RELEVANCE OF SEEING JESUS
All of this accents the importance of perceiving Jesus NOW --knowing and understanding Him! Preaching and teaching that opens Jesus to the understanding of people prepares them for transformation. When men do not see Jesus, they are shut up, or confined to, nature. Through the revelation of the Gospel "we see Jesus" (Heb 2:9). What we are seeing is His "image." It is through that perception that we are conformed to what we behold by faith!
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, grant that I may have a more thorough understanding of Your Son – one that resides in my heart.