In His Image
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. – Romans 8:29 NKJV.
But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. – 2 Corinthians 3:18 NKJV.
Herbert Chavez who lives in the Philippines is being transformed by plastic surgery to look more and more like Superman. He has had surgery on his chin, his nose, and plans to have surgery on his abdomen. He has also had silicone injections and implants. Chavez says, “I have been a life long fan of Superman after being given the costume when I was a child. As I am only 5 feet 6 inches and Superman is 6 feet 2 inches I wouldn’t rule out surgery to make me taller.” Chavez is also a collector of Superman memorabilia and his home is filled up with Superman collectibles. (Orange News 10.10.11)
If you know Jesus as your Savior, there is a change going on in your life. Herbert Chavez is changing himself to look more like he thinks Superman should look like. God is changing His children spiritually to be more and more like Jesus. We are not doing the changing. You are not doing the changing. God is at work in your life through the Holy Spirit, and you “are being transformed.”
I am far from being perfect, but God has been at work in my life chipping away at all the things that do not conform “to the image of His Son.” The lies that used to so easily flow from my mouth have been chipped away. My desire for riches has been chipped away. My selfishness is slowly being chipped out of my heart. My worldly lusts are being removed piece by piece. Sometimes this renovation project that God has going on in my life is enjoyable, and sometimes it is far from enjoyable; in fact, it is downright painful. Looking at the image of Jesus that I see painted in the Word of God, I can see that there is still a long, long way to go before this transformation project that God has begun will reach completion.
How can God ever change the wickedness of my heart, or the wickedness of your heart? I do not know, but as the apostle Paul told the Philippians (Philippians 1:6), “being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” I do know that God will never give up on what He has begun in my heart and life. He will bring it to completion. God is not going to give up on what He has begun in your life either. He will see it through to the very end.
We have the promise of God that someday, somehow, we will be like Jesus. We are told this in 1 John 3:2, “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.” Let us hold onto this promise of God that some bright shining wondrous day “we shall be like Him.”
(We are being transformed into His image.)