Can You Imagine?
Hebrews 1:3 (New International Version)
3The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Romans 8:29 (New International Version)
29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Booster cables connect a dead battery with one fully charged and the car splutters to life, making the engine purr as the current flows. That's how it felt when these verses jumped out at me, brought to life by the current of the Holy Spirit. I caught a glimpse of a specific gripping truth as I put them together.
If we are "conformed to his image," and he is "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being," then shouldn't we also be? Wow! Can you imagine?
I love to watch people holding newborn babies. They gaze at them. taking in the fascinating details of these little ones, who seem to me like aliens from another world.
Their fingers and toes, so tiny, are touched and wondered at. Exquisitely formed ears and tiny noses and mouths; all so perfect, are the work of a master craftsman.
People love to caress the downy softness of a baby's head and stroke their fine skin. And who doesn't love the scent of a freshly bathed baby?
There are parallels with people who have so obviously been with Jesus. Something of his fragrance and beauty clings to them and like alien creature among us, they exude qualities that come from being with him: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23
We are his representatives on earth, but we are truly aliens belonging to another world:
Philippians 3:20 (New International Version)
20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ...
The book by Charles Sheldon, In His Steps, written in 1896, sparked a relatively recent flood of bracelets, necklaces and bumper stickers, all asking, "What Would Jesus Do?" or "WWJD?"
But as I ponder becoming "the exact representation of his being," I am challenged to ask myself, "What would Jesus be?"
I am praying that in every work, touch and thought, more and more, he is being through me.
3The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.
Romans 8:29 (New International Version)
29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Booster cables connect a dead battery with one fully charged and the car splutters to life, making the engine purr as the current flows. That's how it felt when these verses jumped out at me, brought to life by the current of the Holy Spirit. I caught a glimpse of a specific gripping truth as I put them together.
If we are "conformed to his image," and he is "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being," then shouldn't we also be? Wow! Can you imagine?
I love to watch people holding newborn babies. They gaze at them. taking in the fascinating details of these little ones, who seem to me like aliens from another world.
Their fingers and toes, so tiny, are touched and wondered at. Exquisitely formed ears and tiny noses and mouths; all so perfect, are the work of a master craftsman.
People love to caress the downy softness of a baby's head and stroke their fine skin. And who doesn't love the scent of a freshly bathed baby?
There are parallels with people who have so obviously been with Jesus. Something of his fragrance and beauty clings to them and like alien creature among us, they exude qualities that come from being with him: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." Galatians 5:22-23
We are his representatives on earth, but we are truly aliens belonging to another world:
Philippians 3:20 (New International Version)
20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ...
The book by Charles Sheldon, In His Steps, written in 1896, sparked a relatively recent flood of bracelets, necklaces and bumper stickers, all asking, "What Would Jesus Do?" or "WWJD?"
But as I ponder becoming "the exact representation of his being," I am challenged to ask myself, "What would Jesus be?"
I am praying that in every work, touch and thought, more and more, he is being through me.
Comments
It is humbling, delightful, and incredible to imagine that we, even us - broken, messed up, and imperfect are being conformed to the image of His son.
Radiant! I love that word.
Belinda the image of booster cables and tiny newborns spark life into your writing and make it possible for us to really imagine!
Oh the fruit of the spirit that grows in us when we have been with Jesus!
I pray others will see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control when they see me. I pray that they'll be touched by His fruit, inspired by His goodness because He lives in me..
You know, sometimes I feel so inadequate when I know we are all He has. This is it - you and me.
I am challenged by your post Belinda. Because of it I do imagine....
I can hardly wait to become "the exact representation of his being", even if I completely understand that will only happen in its fullness when we shall see Him as He is. ... when we look fully into His wonderful face.