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²⁸We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. ²⁹For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. ³⁰And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Romans 8:28-30 (New Revised Standard Version)

Yesterday we looked at verse 28 – God’s promise to work things together for God for those who love Him and pursue Him. Today we’ll begin to look at verses 29 and 30. This is where it gets exciting!

Predestined to be Conformed – It’s a Done Deal!
Setting aside the sometimes controversial question of predestination, let’s unpack what verse 29 says.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family.
Romans 8:29 (NRSV)

If you love God, if you are called according to His purpose (verse 28), God has predestined you to be conformed to the image of His Son – Think about that – You have been “programmed” to become like Christ. Is Christ loving? (Yes!) You are predestined to become loving. Is Christ compassionate? (Yes!) You are predestined to become compassionate. Is Christ forgiving? (Yes!) You are predestined to become forgiving. Does Christ know what the Father wants Him to do? (Yes!) You are predestined to know what the Father wants you to do!

Read through the Gospels. Everything you see Jesus doing and being – God has predestined you to do and be!

What an encouragement that is for me! It even changes my perspective on some difficult areas of my life. I am programmed, I am predestined, to respond in love, forgiveness and compassion! That’s not my self-image. I know it’s how I know God wants me to respond, but it’s not how I think of myself as responding. But now I see that it’s not only how God wants me to respond, it’s how God has programmed me to respond. To respond otherwise, is an aberration – it’s not who I truly am. So I can begin to think of myself in those terms instead of any other way.

Sometimes it’s easy for me to think of myself as less than God has predestined me to be. Sometimes I think of myself as unforgiving or uncompassionate. Perhaps your self image says you are stubborn or lazy. Christ is neither of those things. So if your self-image includes those characteristics, your self-image is incorrect. (In other words, you’ve bought lies the enemy has been feeding you.) God has predestined you to become like Christ.

When I think of myself as a sinner, it is easier for me to sin. Now don’t get me wrong. Yes, I am a sinner, as are you and everyone else on this planet of ours. But when I get specific – when I think of myself as a liar, for example, it becomes so much easier for me to lie. If I think of myself as a truth-teller, however, it becomes much more difficult to utter things that are not fully truthful. So if I think of myself as conformed to the image of Christ, I think of myself as a truth-teller. When I think of myself as lazy, it becomes much easier for me to waste time than if I think of myself as being about my Father’s business. If I see (and define) myself as stubborn, it’s easier to justify holding a grudge than if I see myself as merciful, compassionate and forgiving.

How we see ourselves has everything to do with how we respond to people and circumstances. I’m convinced that if we see ourselves as the finished product – that is, conformed to the image of Christ – that we will respond to people and circumstances more consistently with the character of Christ. I am excited to be a person who has the character of Christ instead of what I’ve walked around with for too many years. I am excited that I am patient and loving and kind and merciful and compassionate and forgiving.

Lord, change our self image! You have promised that we will be conformed to the image of Christ. Help us see ourselves in the light of that truth!

Tomorrow we’ll look at some exciting aspects of being called!

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 4th, 2010 at 11:12 pm and is filed under Attitude, Christian Living, Our Identity in Christ, Reading through the Bible in a Year. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.