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Image of His Son

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For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Romans 8:29

All those who accept Christ as their Savior are predestined to be molded to the image of Jesus. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) We can be sure from this verse that the Lord will use everything in our lives to mold us to the mind and heart of Christ. However, we must love him and be called according to his purpose. Are we motivated to be more Christ-like and to know Christ? And do we know how our lives change as we become more Christ-like?

The greatest thing in our Christian lives is to be more Christ-like. The more Christ-like we become, the closer we are to our Lord and the more we understand him. The Lord has looked down from heaven upon the sons of men, to see if there are any who understand, Who seek after God. (Psalm 14:2) Do you want God to look down from Heaven and be pleased that your heart and soul are seeking him, seeking to be like Christ, and seeking to know him more? Do you want him to see you are motivated to become more Christ-like by serving him with joy and thankfulness? Can you imagine how pleasing this is to God?

The relationship between Jesus and the Father is the relationship a Christ-like person has with Christ. Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? (John 14:9) As we become more Christ-like, others begin to see us as people with hearts of love and compassion. Very truly I tell you, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing, because whatever the Father does the Son also does. (John 15:9) A Christ-like person depends on Christ for everything, especially when ministering to others, and always seeks to follow the Spirit to do the Lord’s will.

The Lord molds us to have the mind and heart of Christ, filled with his love and compassion. We are then able to overcome fear, anger, worry, unforgiveness, pride, – all the things of Satan. Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world. (1 John 5:4) Just as Christ overcame the world, he enables us to do the same. Our identity is in Christ and we are closer to the Lord than we are to the world. We are eternally minded and filled with peace and joy, and our soul is at rest. A Christ-like person lives the best life possible, life to the full in Christ. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. (John 10:10)

Today, strive to be Christ-like. The more we become like Christ the closer we are to the Lord and the more we understand him. Allow the work of God in becoming more Christ-like to be the driving force of your Christian life. Strive to have a closer, more meaningful relationship with the Lord. Pray that the Lord continues to mold you to have the mind and heart of Christ. Pursue the Lord with all your heart.

Let’s Pray: Lord, mold me to be like Jesus, that the world may recognize the heart of Christ in me. Let your love and compassion reveal a caring heart to others. Thank you for molding me to be like your Son. In Jesus’ name, Amen.