Bella Vista Church of Christ
LIFELINES
April 25, 2001 Randall Caselman
Conforming to His Image
“For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His son.” (Romans 8.29) Jesus did not come into the world to change us in part, but in the whole. Remaking, remolding, reshaping us into the image of Jesus is not a simple or easy task. In fact, it is an intensive lifetime effort. How do we begin?
Take Time To Think.
Reshaping self into His image must have its beginning in the inner man. Paul admonishes us to be transformed (changed) by the renewing of our mind. Jesus maintained that life issues originate in the heart. Solomon said we are what we think. Life changing concepts must begin in thought. There will be no significant changes in my life or yours until we take time to see ourselves as the sinners we really are. We must see the need for change. Luke 2.19 is an interesting verse. Speaking of Mary, Luke says, “She treasured all these things and pondered them in her heart.” We must take time to ponder, meditate, dwell, focus upon the changes we need to make to be in the image of Jesus.
Take Time To Be Alone.
Our lives are lived in the fast lane. We fill each and every moment with scheduled events and people. There are times when we need to be alone. Jesus knew this. We see Him alone in the mountains, alone in the desert, by the Sea of Galilee, alone in the Garden. Emerson once wrote, “Each day is a whole world within itself.” It can make a world of difference in the life God has given each of us. In twenty-four hours one can plot a course that will shape his or her whole life or destiny. Life-shaping moments should not be left to the hustle and bustle of the crowd, but in secluded moments with God. Do we have such private time with Him? Let’s set aside some time each day when we can be alone with our creator.
Take Time To Be In The Word.
We cannot conform to that which we do not know. Paul tells us we are to have the heart, the mind, the disposition of Jesus. “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus,” he wrote in Philippians 2.5. How can we know His mind unless we are into the word daily? Ignorance is our problem. Peter says as much: “As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in (what?) ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do.” (1 Peter 1.14-15) No wonder Paul admonished Timothy to study to show himself approved unto God. Conforming to His image demands we set aside time in the Word.
Take Time To Pray.
Power to become, transforming power, conforming power is from God--not within self. Read Ephesians 3.16 and 3.20-21 together: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory." John writes, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us, whatever we ask we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5.14-15) There are some prayers that are always answered because they are always within God’s will. Helping, empowering us to conform to the image of His son is one such guaranteed answered prayer. God help us not to be too busy to pray, for we have not because we ask not. Right?
Indeed God has called and predestined us as His children of light to be like His son in all things. I think the secret of our success is to take time. Becoming like Jesus is a lifetime process, not a onetime, instantaneous event.
RANDALL CASELMAN
