BE YE TRANSFORMED!
TEXT:
"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 " (2nd Corinthians chapter 3 verse 18.
Man's loss of God's image and likeness, occasioned by his fall in the garden of Eden had been a matter of enormous concern to God, our Father. The restoration plan of God began almost immediately after the fall. Beside other things which He did, God dispatched His prophets of old, and in the end revealed His Son, Jesus Christ. In each of the prophets of old, we could see God's image, though not all that perfect. But in Christ Jesus, we see God's complete image, hence the Scriptures attests that Jesus is the "... brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person,..." (Hebrews chapter 1 verse 3; see also 2nd Corinthians chapter 4 verse 4; Colossians chapter 1 verse 15). Someone once said that "Jesus is the best picture God ever took". Jesus confirmed this fact when in John chapter 14 verse 9, He told Philip saying that "... he that hath seen Me hath seen the Father ".
The greatest desire of God is that we, His Children on earth should "... be conformed to the image of His Son, ..." (Romans chapter 8 verse 29). That accounts for Him telling us in verse 2 of Romans chapter 12, to not "... be conformed to this world: but be... transformed by the renewing of (our) mind..." (Emphasis added)
But how does God intend to accomplish His quest to have us conform to the image of His Son? Of course, by the instrumentality of the Word of God. The truth is that as we imbibe the Word of God, we are changed into the same image of the Lord from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord (2nd Corinthians chapter 3 verse 18). God wants us to be exactly as Jesus is. The Holy Scriptures affirms that "... when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; ... " (1st John chapter 3 verse 2 ). As "we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord ..." (i.e, as we read and meditate on the Word of God) we get changed, transformed by the Word of God. We become like Jesus. Actually, God anticipates this metamorphosis, saying: "... as He is, so are we in this world " (1st John chapter 4 verse 17 ).
Jesus serves as our Perfect Example in every respect. He lived a victorious life here on earth. He was full of grace, power and authority. He lived for God, and was without sin? He was full of love for God and for humanity. History attests to the fact that Jesus is the greatest man that ever lived! Hallelujah!
Do you want to be like Him? Simply, be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, through the Word of God, and it's all yours. Neglect not therefore the Word of God, and you'll be amazed at what happens to your life. Create or apportion some good time daily for God's Word; to read it, to study it, to memorize it and to meditate on it, to the end that it becomes part of you for your doing.
PRAYER:
Father, thank you for revealing your Son to me. As l immerse myself in your Word, cause the transformation you desire to take place in me, to the end that l be conformed to the image of your Son, Jesus. I thank you for doing so for me, in Jesus name, amen