Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son… I. THE TRANSCENDENT MODEL. The Word of God declares that all His reconciled children are to be conformed to the image of His Son. The life of Jesus was a plan of God. A sculpture once, on being asked why he smiled on a rough block of marble which was taken into his studio, replied, "Because I see an angel in it and I am going to liberate her." Well, when God looked upon us, though we were ugly with sin, yet in the fulness of His love He saw in us the image of His Son. Men sometimes despair of human nature, but our Heavenly Father keeps on working, and in due time His reconciled children shall be conformed to the transcendent Model. The strokes of the spiritual chisel may cut deep at times, but it is a part of the plan to make you perfect. We are not told the features of God's Son, but of this we may feel assured, that the face of Jesus was lovely. Attracted by the love which shone in His face, little children climbed His knee, and fallen men and erring women gave up their sins and became His disciples. We are not, however, to be conformed to the image of His face; but to be transformed to the spirit of His life. The same rudder that directed the spirit which made His life Divine is also to directs ours. Consider — 1. His perfect life. We cannot suggest the least improvement in it, and there are no flaws or stains to wish to betaken away. 2. His submission to the will of God. 3. His true worship of God. His life was one psalm of the love of God. 4. His consecration to God. 5. His unselfishness. Though He was rich, for our sakes He became poor. 6. His cross. We have never heard of any but Jesus who was willing not only to bear the penalty of others, but the guilt of their sins? II. THE INESTIMABLE PRIVILEGE OF BEING CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF CHRIST. When He was transfigured, He was so surpassingly beautiful that the disciples cried, "Master, it is good for us to be here!" When the sun goes down on a dark and dull evening, it sometimes lights up the clouds just above your head, and makes them golden with beauty. It is like the time when Stephen the martyr was being stoned to death. While he knelt on the ground, he looked up into the heavens and cried, "I see Jesus standing on the right hand of God." And the light from heaven shone with such splendour upon his face that it was like that of an angel. And when we see Jesus, we shall be like Him. We shall not be made into His image like — 1. A picture, which a painter desires above all things be placed in a right light. Some people can only exhibit holy charity in the house of prayer; but the reconciled children of God are to be conformed to the image of Jesus on the Exchange, in the factory, and the street. We do not need to be put into a particular light. 2. A statue. When we look at the figure of Wellington, who can imagine that grim statue ever crying, "Up Guards, and at 'em"? We are to have life and vigour. 3. An actor, when he is on the stage, feels for the moment that he is really the man he is representing; but eventually goes home a common man. But the true Christian does not wear a seamless robe and sandals; he is a living embodiment of Christ. (W. Birch.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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