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Conformed to the Image of Christ

Woman praising God

In the journey of faith, there comes a moment when one realizes that truly following Christ means surrendering personal desires, ambitions, and earthly tendencies. It's about allowing the Holy Spirit to take the lead, opening oneself to an outpouring of the fruits of the Spirit. This surrender is not a passive act but a deliberate choice to yield to the Spirit's guidance. By doing so, we invite Him to change our hearts, renew our minds, and align our lives with God's will. Walking in step with the Spirit means letting Him direct our paths and transform our very nature.

 

This process of transformation is beautifully illustrated by the image of clay being shaped by a potter's hands. Just as the clay doesn't become a vessel instantly, we too are gradually shaped by the Spirit over time. This is the essence of sanctification—a continual growth and refinement as we become more like Christ in how we think, act, and relate to others. The Apostle Paul captures this in 2 Corinthians 3:18: 


"And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."

 

This transformation involves a deep alignment with Christ's character—embracing His humility, love, patience, and obedience to the Father. It's not about adopting a set of behaviors but about reflecting His heart in every aspect of our being. It's a holistic change that touches every part of our lives, shaping us into a reflection of His image.

 

Yet, this transformation isn't something that happens to us without our involvement. Participation with the Spirit is crucial. While the Holy Spirit is the agent of change, being "conformed" implies that we actively cooperate with His work. This means seeking God through prayer, immersing ourselves in His Word, and striving to live according to His commandments. It involves resisting the temptations and patterns of the world—as Paul urges in Romans 12:2: 


"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." 

Instead, we embrace the new life God calls us to in Christ.

 

In essence, being conformed to Christ's image is about letting go of our old selves and allowing the Spirit of God to work through us, gradually molding us to be more like Jesus in every facet of our lives. The term "conformed" comes from the Greek word "symmorphos" which combines "syn" (together with) and "morphē" (form or shape). This conveys the idea of being jointly formed or fashioned into the same likeness. Is the combination of image and likeness through Glorification that now conforms us to the image of the Glorified Son of God.

 

Thus, being "conformed to the image of His Son" means undergoing a profound transformation that aligns us with the character, virtues, and essence of Jesus Christ. It's not merely an external imitation, but an internal metamorphosis that reshapes our thoughts, desires, and actions. It's a journey of becoming, where we—in partnership with the Holy Spirit—are fashioned into a living reflection of Christ Himself.

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