Message from the Pastor
Formed into His Image |
At the capitol dome in Washington D.C. you will find the following inscription: One God, one law, one element and one supreme event toward which the whole creation moves. What is the event? The inscription doesn’t tell us. Is it the destruction of the world? Is it the bringing in of a perfect society? No, that one event toward which the whole creation is moving is the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:29
You can summarize the history of the believer in the word formed. We are only clay. Clay cannot form itself but God can. There are stages in the life of every child of God. First, we were formed in God’s image by God. Second, we were deformed from God’s image by sin. Third, we are being transformed into God’s image by the Spirit. Fourth, we shall one day be conformed to the Lord Jesus Christ when we see Him.
I. Formed in God’s Image
Gen. 2:7 “God formed”
Let’s examine this first stage in our spiritual experience: We were formed in God’s image.
What does it mean to be formed into his image? Does it mean that one day we will become gods? We can be sure this is not the case as some teach. Let us see just how we are formed in His image:
A. Personality
God is a person. God has a mind to think, heart to feel with and a will for decisions and actions. Our personality is a reflection of the personality of God. Man is basically spiritual. In his material body, man is related to the earth; he came from dust. But in his spiritual makeup, he is related to God. He is both dust and some deity so to speak.
We are not like animals although some live like that. We have thoughts and conscience that tells us what is bad and good.
B. Responsibility
As created in His image, we are responsible to Him. We have what is called an innate knowledge of Him. This is why in every society no matter how primitive, there are laws set forth, rituals to follow and the worship of something.
There is a big difference between men and animals.
C. Destiny
We have a destiny. We have a purpose in life not just to survive but to serve our Creator.
II. Deformed from God’s Image
Eph. 4:18, 19
Man fell from his original state. By man’s sin, he was separated from his creator.
III. Transformed into God’s Image
Romans 12:1, 2
This can only happen when the Word of God is used by the Spirit of God to open our eyes to Jesus Christ as the only way we can be saved. Born again are words used in the Bible to describe when we are born into God’s family. Then and only then can we be like Him again.
We must agree with Him that we are sinners, that we need a Savior, and that we trust His death and shed blood and resurrection from the dead for our sins.
IV. Conformed to God’s Image
Romans 8:29; John 17:22
As stated before once we are saved then we can yield our lives to Him and become more like Him. May God help us to become like Him so the world can see Him in us.
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