(tm) The Image of Christ

When the Word of God is brought to maturity in our life we shall be in the image of Christ.

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be changed into the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29)

Our transformation into the image of Christ is the purpose of God. In line with this purpose we were foreknown, predestined, called, justified, and glorified (Romans 8:30). The purpose of God, that for which we have been predestined, is not to be born again, or healed, or to exercise our ministry, or even to go to Heaven. Rather, the purpose of God is that we be changed into the image of His Son, Christ.

We need to give more attention to the idea of conformity to the image of Christ, because such transformation is of first importance in the mind of God and gives direction to His efforts. Transformation into His image is the "good" for which all things are working—working on behalf of those who love God, those who are called according to the Divine purpose (Romans 8:28).

There are at least three areas that must be considered when we contemplate the image and likeness of Christ:

His character—that which He Himself is in essence, disposition, and moral conduct.

His relationship to God—He is the eternal habitation of the fullness of the Father through the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

His outward appearance—a human form fashioned from the Substance of Divine Life.

The image and likeness of Christ consists of what He is in character, His relationship to God, and His outward appearance. His soul, spirit, and body are in perfect harmony, each making its contribution to the threefold image and likeness. Every member of the Church, the Body of Christ, will be made perfect in each of these three dimensions. Then will the holy city, the new Jerusalem, be ready to descend from Heaven to the new earth (Revelation 21:1,2).

To be "changed into the image of his Son" is to have our soul, spirit, and body transformed according to the three aspects of Christ. First, His character must be developed in us. His character consists of what He is in essence, His disposition, and His moral conduct. Our natural life is transmuted into His Essence, which is Divinity, as we partake of His body and blood, and as the Word of God grows in us.

Our disposition is changed as the Holy Spirit instructs us, by the ministries of the Body of Christ and by the circumstances of our daily living, how God expects us to behave. The Spirit teaches us to be gentle, cheerful in adversity, patient in frustrating situations, steadfast and reliable concerning our responsibilities, loving and forgiving toward those among whom we live, and resolute concerning the will of God.

Our moral conduct is purified as we lay hold on the authority of the blood of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. We overthrow and demolish the uncleanness in our behavior. God forgives us and keeps on enabling us to put to death the deeds of our body.

Second, we are to become the eternal habitation of the fullness of the Father in the fullness of Christ through the fullness of the Holy Spirit (John 14:23; John 17:21-23; Ephesians 2:21,22; Revelation 3:12).

Third, we shall receive and possess forever a body like that of Christ in form, and fashioned from eternal life (Philippians 3:21; II Corinthians 5:4; I Corinthians 15:53,54; John 3:16).

Another way of describing the image of Christ, that which we are to become, is found in Ezekiel 1:10 and Revelation 4:7. The image and likeness of Christ is pictured as the lion, the ox, the man, and the eagle.

The lion is the unconquerable majesty and strength of the Son of God. The ox is the ability and willingness of Christ to continue patiently under the heavy load of service to God. The man is the perfected soul, spirit, and body of the person—that with which God can have fellowship. God cannot have fellowship with lions, oxen, or eagles, only with people who are like Himself.

The eagle is the ever-renewed resurrection life that soars up from the earth and ascends into the heights of worship and glory.

If we are deficient as the lion, God will add to us the courage and ability with which to stand against and destroy the enemies of God and man.

If we are deficient as the ox, God will develop in us the willingness, strength, and patience to carry heavy burdens over a period of time, as the Lord directs.

If we are deficient as the man, God will build us up in soul, spirit, and body according to His standard for personal characteristics.

If we are deficient as the eagle, God will create "wings" in us so we can soar into the heavens in the fierce independence and freedom of the sons of God.

The saint is brought from total alienation from God all the way to the image of Christ. The making of an atonement, in the fullest meaning of the term, includes this entire transition.

Justification leads to sanctification, and sanctification leads to glorification. Glorification begins with the developing of the character of Christ in us.

The maturing of the character of Christ in us leads to our being filled with all the fullness of God. Our being filled with all the fullness of God leads to our being clothed with a body of eternal life.

The grace of God justifies us and leads us into sanctification. The grace of God consists of three elements:

The Word of God in general and specific application.

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