Things New and Old: Conformed to the image of Christ

Things New and Old

Ancient truths revealed in the Scriptures are often forgotten, disbelieved or distorted, and therefore lost in the passage of time. Such ancient truths when rediscovered and relearned are 'new' additions to the treasury of ancient truths.

Christ showed many new things to the disciples, things prophesied by the prophets of old but hijacked and perverted by the elders and their traditions, but which Christ reclaimed and returned to His people.

Many things taught by the Apostles of Christ have been perverted or substituted over the centuries. Such fundamental doctrines like salvation by grace and justification have been hijacked and perverted and repudiated by sincere Christians. These doctrines need to be reclaimed and restored to God's people.

There are things both new and old here. "Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things" 2Ti 2:7.

Thursday, December 7, 2023

Conformed to the image of Christ

December 7, 2019

#Conformed_to_the_image_of_Christ

Romans 8
28 ¶And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

If you were given a chance to become like any person of your choice, who would that be?

Which great businessman, celebrity, president, sportsman, world leader, etc. would you have chosen?

How is that choice compared to the perfect and glorious choice of God for you?

It seems that many Christians would hate the very thought that they have been predestinated to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ; They are ashamed of Christ and His hard sayings. "No such Christians," some naive souls would retort.

Mark 8:38 KJV — Whosoever, therefore, shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.

I can hear some scorn, "Oh, but surely Christ is speaking of unbelievers!" Pray tell, how could unbelievers be charged for being ashamed of Christ and his word?