Category Archives: Conformity

Bible, Conformity, Image, Jesus, Likeness, Romans, Scripture

CONFORMED TO HIS IMAGE

ROMANS 8:29

“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters;”

My daughter’s two children, one boy and one girl, reflect the image of their parents. Some days we see more of my daughter in them, and other days, we see our son-in-law more. But inwardly, these two little ones are unique individuals. They may favor their parents in their outward appearance. But only time will tell what their own personalities will reveal.

Hmmm, that might just apply to today’s verse. Let me just say up front that I am NOT going to be talking about predestination today. That is a topic of discussion on another platform, not this one. Today I want to look at how we are “conformed to the image of His Son.” Unfortunately, too many people believe if they just believe in Jesus, that’s all that matters. I would argue that this verse requires more. Let’s take a look.

APPLICATION

The word “conformed” is sýmmorphos and only appears here in Romans 8:29 and in Philippians 3:21. It means, according to HELPS Word-studies “conformed, by sharing the same inner essence–identity (form); showing similar behavior from having the same essential nature.” Did you catch that? It’s not about the outward appearance. It’s an inner likeness. Back to my analogy of my grandchildren. Outwardly they look like their parents, but inwardly they are quite different.

God has determined His desire for each and every follower of Christ is to be like Jesus inwardly. There are a lot of people in the world today who claim outwardly to be a Christian, but their lifestyle and behaviors say something so unlike Jesus. I am sure you can think of examples of that. We are to be just like Jesus inwardly.

Philippians 3:21 says, “who will transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with His glorious body, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.” Do I need to remind you that God already sees you in that glorified? Remember, He sees time differently than we do. He sees us in our glorified bodies, conformed to His Son’s image. So, why can’t we just agree with Him and be like Jesus?

Conforming to anything requires giving up something. For water to conform to the shape of a vessel, it must give up its free flowing desire. For us to conform to the image of His Son, we must give up all that we think we want to look like. It does not matter what the world thinks. It only matters what He sees in us. Let Him see only Jesus. Let our inward attitude and motives be conformed totally to Jesus’ image, which He has predestined to be His desire for us.

Father, let me look just like Jesus on the inside. Give me His heart for others.

If the Lord should lead you to support our ministry, check out our ministry page at Trans World Radio (www.twr.org/carl-willis). 

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Bible, Change, Conformity, Heaven, Jesus, Scripture, Transformation

WHAT A CHANGE!

PHILIPPIANS 3:21

“who will transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with His glorious body, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.”

When I come in from working in the yard, I am usually pretty dirty. I have grass stains on my shoes, dirt on my shirt and pants and fairly dirty hands even though I normally wear gloves. I have to strip off in the garage (with the door closed, of course) before coming inside. Then I go directly to the bathroom and get cleaned up. Afterwards, I put on clean clothes. There is quite the transformation in appearance and smell. But I am still in that same old body.

Paul tells us that will all change one day for the follower of Christ. Jesus will “transform the body of our lowly condition into conformity with His glorious body.” That’s a mouthful! What Paul is saying is this old, broken down, sin-filled body of ours which is prone to illness and disease will be changed one day. And we will become like Him. The word “conformity” means we will share the same inner essence and identity as Christ. Now, we won’t become God. That’s reserved for Him. But we will be God-like in our makeup. Pretty cool, huh?

APPLICATION

This Greek word for “conformity” is also used by Paul in Romans 8:29. “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters;” It has been the Father’s original intention, since the foundation of the world, to conform us into the image of His Son. Once we accept His free gift of salvation, the transformation begins. Step by step it occurs until that glorious day when we are completely transformed in glory.

If you could model any attribute of God right now, what would it be? Gentleness? You can do that. How about compassion? You can show that. Maybe you would like to just be more loving. You can do that too. God’s transforming power isn’t limited to heaven. He can begin that process here, if you are willing to submit.

You’ve seen those 5 Minute Oil Change stores, haven’t you? I don’t really trust that to be honest. I have changed oil in a car a few times and I guarantee it takes longer than five minutes. But let’s apply that to our transformation in heaven for a second. If we are already working on our transformation down here, won’t that save God a little time (I know time has no relevance for Him)? Let the conformity begin today. Be more like Jesus.

I want to be more and more like Your Son, Lord. Help me shed the dirty, worn out way of living and cling to the new life I have in Him. 

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