'How To' Instructions in Righteousness

 Lesson 16: Conform yourself to the image of Christ

Key verses:  Romans 8:29 with 2 Corinthians 3:18

Romans 8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

2 Cor 3:18
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.

Romans 8:29 is the source of unending debate and controversy among secular churches and so-called Bible scholars of the world.  The debate surrounds the meanings of the words “foreknow” and “predestinate”.  Therefore, it is rare to find a commentary that gets to the heart of the true meaning here.  We clearly understand that God can look into the future.  Fulfilled prophecy is proof enough of this.  We also know that “predestinate” means that God foreordained or planed ahead of time, before our birth, to call us to the Salvation Process.  For any firstfruit recollecting his or her calling knows and understands this.  The focus of this scripture for us is God’s purpose of our calling, namely to conform ourselves to the image of Christ.

Whereas Romans 8:29 proclaims God’s purpose in conforming us to the image of Christ, 2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us how this is done.   In the sermon, Glory to Glory, we are immersed into the meaning of 2 Corinthians 3:18 and what Christ does in and through us by the power of the Holy Spirit that results in our being changed into His very image.

At the end of that sermon, I paraphrase what the verse is saying…

“All true Christians with the Holy Spirit see and know Jesus Christ directly and openly.  We see Him reflected in Spirit and through the Word of God.  We see His glory in everything He does and says.

 

We are changed to His image as we persevere in the Process of Salvation---overcoming sin, invoking Godly principles and putting on Christ in every aspect of our lives…”from glory to glory” by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Every time we invoke the power of the Holy Spirit that results in a Godly principle (love, joy, peace, honesty, service, excellence, forgiveness, etc.) that is a “glory.”  Every time we take a step in stopping and overcoming sin in our lives, that is a “glory.”  Every time we acknowledge and keep the law, that is a “glory.”  The greatest glory we execute before God will be remaining in the Salvation Process to the end.  So continuing in the process, day-by-day, is also a "glory."  With each glorious event, we become more like Christ and we take another step toward being changed to His image.
Lesson 16: Instructions – Conform yourself to the image of Christ
  
 1) Review the sermons, "Glory to Glory" Part 1 and Part 2
 2) Understand that every time we invoke the power of the Holy Spirit, a glory is the result and that with each glory, we take a step towards being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.  In the Salvation Process, we go from Glory to Glory.  Therefore...
 3) Go forth from Glory to Glory.
 4) Continue to immerse yourself into the Word of God to see the image of Christ reflected off its pages.
 5) Invoke the power of the Holy Spirit in the form of fruits of the Spirit at every opportunity God brings your way.
 6) Have and exercise abiding faith in God and Jesus Christ.  Believe the word of Christ without doubt [review study of Mark 11:22].

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