“IMAGE!”

Romans 8:26-30                            (ESV)

“26 Likewise THE SPIRIT HELPS US IN OUR WEAKNESSES. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the SPIRIT HIMSELF intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.

27 And HE WHO searches hearts knows what is the mind of the SPIRIT, because the SPIRIT intercedes for the saints according to the WILL OF GOD.

28 And we know that FOR THOSE WHO LOVE GOD all things work together for good, for those who are called according to HIS purpose.

29 For those whom HE FOREKNEW HE also PREDESTINED to be conformed to the “IMAGE” of HIS SON, in order that HE might be the firstborn among many brothers.

30 And those whom HE predestined HE also CALLED, and those whom HE called HE also JUSTIFIED, and those whom HE justified he also GLORIFIED.”

Image - “an optical counterpart OR APPEARANCE OF AN OBJECT, as is produced BY REFLECTION FROM A MIRROR, refraction by a lens, or the passage of luminous rays through a small aperture and their reception on a surface.”

The preceding definition is from a dictionary when the word “IMAGE” is researched.  We are called to REFLECT CHRIST in our lives, not to do what we THINK is best!  We are CHOSEN (PREDESTINED) to be CONFORMED to the “IMAGE” of JESUS, not to do what seems right to us.  One definition of CONFORMED is “to be or become similar in form, nature, or character.”  Do I REFLECT CHRIST in my actions?  Or do I fall into doing that which “makes sense” to this world?  

Keep in mind, JESUS didn’t have a mansion on Main Street in Jerusalem.  HE didn’t have chariots and horses to escort HIM wherever he desired to go.  HE walked everywhere!  HE ate on hillsides!  But most HE “withdrew” frequently to be alone with HIS FATHER!  Shouldn’t we who LOVE GOD and are CALLED according to HIS purpose do likewise?   

While we can never give a TRUE REFLECTION of JESUS, we should strive to keep our mirror clean enough to give a pure enough picture of HIM that others would take notice.  ONLY GOD can draw people to HIMSELF, but the “IMAGE” we reflect should make others SEE that living for HIM is the ONLY WAY to go!!!