(Message by Sam Cherian)
Conforming to the image of Christ is the foundation of christian living. This message which is based on Rom. 8.29, which tells us the basic purpose of man’s creation is to conform us in to the image of Christ. Yes there are times when we require signs & miracles in our lives, but we need to go on to knows the ways of God in our lives. We need to come to the foundation of being conformed to the image of Christ. And that was the reason God sent Jesus upon this earth, not only to deal with our sin issue, but to be a role model for mankind- that’s why Rom 8.29 goes on to say that Jesus was the first-born among many brothers.
Similar reason for Israel being chosen. The primary reason why God delivered them out of Egypt, was not to show them signs & wonders. The Israelites needed the 10 plaques to deliver them out of the hands of Pharaoh, they needed to see the Red sea part to help them cross over, they needed manna from heaven & water from the rock to sustain their bodies. But the primary objective God had for the nation of Israel, was that they become a model nation for the surrounding gentile nations- to show forth to them the nature & character of the almighty God. That’s why in Ex 19: 4-6, He told them- “See I have brought you out of Egypt on eagles wings, …….I want you to be a kingdom of priests and a Holy nation in the eyes of these people.” God didn’t want them to portray HIM as an unholy God by their unholy lifestyles.
But sadly we see from the History of Israel, that despite having witnessed the power, presence & goodness of God they were constantly complaining , grumbling, faithless & fell in to immorality, thereby they failed to portray God as Righteous & Holy. Israel had come out of Egypt- but Egypt had not come out of the children of Israel. Similarly at times we profess to have come out of the world, but still there are elements of the world which still manifest in us. That’s why the psalmist records in Ps. 103.7- “He made known HIS ways to moses & His deeds to Israel”. WAYS- pertain to His nature and character. DEEDS- pertain to wonders and miracles. The problem was not with the miracles- but Israel got stuck with the miracles and didn’t graduate to know who God really was by virtue of his nature and character.
So this point of conforming to HIS image is very very important.- in the sense it is the very foundation of Christian life. If we have missed this aspect, then we have missed everything. That’s why Jesus said in Mt. 7:21-23” In that day many will say Lord haven’t we prophesied, cast out demons, did many wonders in your name and Jesus will sadly say to them – yes I don’t deny you did all that, but somehow, I don’t know you”. Isn’t it a frightening thought! Jesus is saying all this in Mt. 7 in the context of building our lives on a strong foundation & entering through the narrow gate.
Example of Moses not portraying God as HOLY in the sight of the sight of the Israelites: In relation to this subject of conforming to the image of Christ, I’m reminded about an incident in Numbers 20, where the children of Israel complain to Moses regarding water & Moses gets a little irritated & impatient at the constant complaining of these people, and somehow didn’t implement God’s command of speaking to the rock, instead he strikes the rock (that rock was Christ) and they get water. And subsequently God tells Moses that because of this He would not have the privilege of entering canaan land.
And I have often thought upon this incident and said Lord that was too harsh a punishment. Moses had already in a way served a sentence of 40 years for murdering an Egyptian, looking after his father-in-law’s sheep (just imagine having been brought up in Pharaohs palace- & then to the wilderness for 40 years) And then was given the responsibility of bringing lakhs of Israelites out of Egypt. At times some of them wanted to stone him…. Then God considers him as the meekest man on the earth in Num 11- after all this to deny him the privilege of entering the Canaan land. It sounds harsh isn’t it? Why did Moses lose the privilege of entering canaan (though he was originally commissioned in Exodus 3 at the burning bush to bring them out from Egypt in to land flowing with milk & honey). Had God backtracked on His promise? No, Moses although being the meekest man, failed to honor and portray God in the eyes of the multitude as Holy. It says in Num. 20: 12 “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the people, you will not enter canaan.”- Moses has not lost the privilege of heaven- but lost the privilege of seeing the ultimate fruit of his labour – canaan.
Brothers & sisters, we are also called to represent & portray God in the eyes of our wordly friends, relations, neighbours as Holy & righteous.
We can’t do it in our own strength,but by revelation of who God is & of His strength that is available to us. That’s why Paul says 2 Cor 4.11 ‘The life of Jesus may be manifested thru me’. Phil 1:20 whether by life or death may Christ be exalted in my body. Just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who wanted to honour God irrespective of whether they lived or died .Then in 2 cor 5:20 we are ambassadors of Christ. This word ambassador in the original Greek language is Kerux (spokesperson). Just like we have ambassadors of various countries, there were people representing the king in those days. The kings views on any subject was conveyed to the public through a kerux. He was like the face & voice of the king & he had no voice of his own. His one and only job was to portray the king to the outside world the way he the king wanted it to be portrayed. When the kerux faced the people the honor of the king was at stake
Brothers & sisters, Just as moses got a little impatient & frustrated with his situation & the people’s problems, there is a possibility that we too get a little frustrated with our unanswered prayers and questions of life. God will definitely address our situations in His time, but let us never forget this fact, through every thought, every word, and every deed the honor of our Lord is at stake. Just like moses we may not lose the privilege of heaven, but we may lose out on the things that the Lord has planned for us on this earth. Let us be diligent to be built up in the image of Christ, because in any case he is coming for a bride without spot & blemish.
Many worldly people never read the bible or come to church, and it is only through our lives they can see Christ. That’s why it says in Phil 2:15 ‘so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as stars in the world’. We are stars showing forth not our own glory, but the glory of Christ. This is not a struggle, but allowing Christ to live through us.
Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the {life} which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me”
Gal 6:9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
We must not lose heart, but patiently wait, because we know that we shall certainly reap.
A question I ask myself often is : Have I become better or bitter ? We must become better & increasingly conformed to Christ day by day.
Let’s remember that the honour of God is at stake, since we represent Him. Do not trade Christlikeness for anything else in the world.
Father thank you that you are teaching us how to be conformed to the image of Christ. Father give us the grace to seek you & portray you in this wicked generation. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
Conforming to the image of Christ is the foundation of christian living. This message which is based on Rom. 8.29, which tells us the basic purpose of man’s creation is to conform us in to the image of Christ. Yes there are times when we require signs & miracles in our lives, but we need to go on to knows the ways of God in our lives. We need to come to the foundation of being conformed to the image of Christ. And that was the reason God sent Jesus upon this earth, not only to deal with our sin issue, but to be a role model for mankind- that’s why Rom 8.29 goes on to say that Jesus was the first-born among many brothers.
Similar reason for Israel being chosen. The primary reason why God delivered them out of Egypt, was not to show them signs & wonders. The Israelites needed the 10 plaques to deliver them out of the hands of Pharaoh, they needed to see the Red sea part to help them cross over, they needed manna from heaven & water from the rock to sustain their bodies. But the primary objective God had for the nation of Israel, was that they become a model nation for the surrounding gentile nations- to show forth to them the nature & character of the almighty God. That’s why in Ex 19: 4-6, He told them- “See I have brought you out of Egypt on eagles wings, …….I want you to be a kingdom of priests and a Holy nation in the eyes of these people.” God didn’t want them to portray HIM as an unholy God by their unholy lifestyles.
But sadly we see from the History of Israel, that despite having witnessed the power, presence & goodness of God they were constantly complaining , grumbling, faithless & fell in to immorality, thereby they failed to portray God as Righteous & Holy. Israel had come out of Egypt- but Egypt had not come out of the children of Israel. Similarly at times we profess to have come out of the world, but still there are elements of the world which still manifest in us. That’s why the psalmist records in Ps. 103.7- “He made known HIS ways to moses & His deeds to Israel”. WAYS- pertain to His nature and character. DEEDS- pertain to wonders and miracles. The problem was not with the miracles- but Israel got stuck with the miracles and didn’t graduate to know who God really was by virtue of his nature and character.
So this point of conforming to HIS image is very very important.- in the sense it is the very foundation of Christian life. If we have missed this aspect, then we have missed everything. That’s why Jesus said in Mt. 7:21-23” In that day many will say Lord haven’t we prophesied, cast out demons, did many wonders in your name and Jesus will sadly say to them – yes I don’t deny you did all that, but somehow, I don’t know you”. Isn’t it a frightening thought! Jesus is saying all this in Mt. 7 in the context of building our lives on a strong foundation & entering through the narrow gate.
Example of Moses not portraying God as HOLY in the sight of the sight of the Israelites: In relation to this subject of conforming to the image of Christ, I’m reminded about an incident in Numbers 20, where the children of Israel complain to Moses regarding water & Moses gets a little irritated & impatient at the constant complaining of these people, and somehow didn’t implement God’s command of speaking to the rock, instead he strikes the rock (that rock was Christ) and they get water. And subsequently God tells Moses that because of this He would not have the privilege of entering canaan land.
And I have often thought upon this incident and said Lord that was too harsh a punishment. Moses had already in a way served a sentence of 40 years for murdering an Egyptian, looking after his father-in-law’s sheep (just imagine having been brought up in Pharaohs palace- & then to the wilderness for 40 years) And then was given the responsibility of bringing lakhs of Israelites out of Egypt. At times some of them wanted to stone him…. Then God considers him as the meekest man on the earth in Num 11- after all this to deny him the privilege of entering the Canaan land. It sounds harsh isn’t it? Why did Moses lose the privilege of entering canaan (though he was originally commissioned in Exodus 3 at the burning bush to bring them out from Egypt in to land flowing with milk & honey). Had God backtracked on His promise? No, Moses although being the meekest man, failed to honor and portray God in the eyes of the multitude as Holy. It says in Num. 20: 12 “Because you did not trust in me enough to honor me as holy in the sight of the people, you will not enter canaan.”- Moses has not lost the privilege of heaven- but lost the privilege of seeing the ultimate fruit of his labour – canaan.
Brothers & sisters, we are also called to represent & portray God in the eyes of our wordly friends, relations, neighbours as Holy & righteous.
We can’t do it in our own strength,but by revelation of who God is & of His strength that is available to us. That’s why Paul says 2 Cor 4.11 ‘The life of Jesus may be manifested thru me’. Phil 1:20 whether by life or death may Christ be exalted in my body. Just like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who wanted to honour God irrespective of whether they lived or died .Then in 2 cor 5:20 we are ambassadors of Christ. This word ambassador in the original Greek language is Kerux (spokesperson). Just like we have ambassadors of various countries, there were people representing the king in those days. The kings views on any subject was conveyed to the public through a kerux. He was like the face & voice of the king & he had no voice of his own. His one and only job was to portray the king to the outside world the way he the king wanted it to be portrayed. When the kerux faced the people the honor of the king was at stake
Brothers & sisters, Just as moses got a little impatient & frustrated with his situation & the people’s problems, there is a possibility that we too get a little frustrated with our unanswered prayers and questions of life. God will definitely address our situations in His time, but let us never forget this fact, through every thought, every word, and every deed the honor of our Lord is at stake. Just like moses we may not lose the privilege of heaven, but we may lose out on the things that the Lord has planned for us on this earth. Let us be diligent to be built up in the image of Christ, because in any case he is coming for a bride without spot & blemish.
Many worldly people never read the bible or come to church, and it is only through our lives they can see Christ. That’s why it says in Phil 2:15 ‘so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as stars in the world’. We are stars showing forth not our own glory, but the glory of Christ. This is not a struggle, but allowing Christ to live through us.
Gal 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the {life} which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me”
Gal 6:9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.
We must not lose heart, but patiently wait, because we know that we shall certainly reap.
A question I ask myself often is : Have I become better or bitter ? We must become better & increasingly conformed to Christ day by day.
Let’s remember that the honour of God is at stake, since we represent Him. Do not trade Christlikeness for anything else in the world.
Father thank you that you are teaching us how to be conformed to the image of Christ. Father give us the grace to seek you & portray you in this wicked generation. In Jesus name we pray. Amen
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