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Conformed To
The Image Of His Son
by Lani W. Finley
Salvation is one of the greatest gifts, which God could have given
humanity. However, it is just the beginning of God's plan for our
new life in Christ. God has proclaimed that we are “to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Rom 8:29). This means that a change
of thinking has to take place within the new child of God. Acting on the
sinful desires of our carnal heart must be forsaken, and a new way of
thinking, which is subject to the thoughts and actions of God, must be
placed within us. It may surprise many Believers to learn that it is
the laws of God (as outlined in the Ten Commandments), which creates
the foundation of this new and right spirit. This fact is established in
both the Old and New Testaments of the Holy Bible.
But this shall be the covenant that I will make
with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put
my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and
will be their God, and they shall be my people (Jer 31:33).
This is the covenant that I will make with them
after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts,
and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more (Heb
10:16-17).
A new heart also will I give you,
and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away
the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of
flesh. 27 And I will put my
spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep
my judgments, and do them (Ezek 36:26-27).
It is important to note that the word “write”
has been translated from Aramaic and Greek words, and literally means to
“inscribe, or record.” It is God’s intention to inscribe and record
His moral laws of love into the deepest dimension of our innermost
beings.
Notice how many times God uses the words “I
will” in above scriptures. "You see, it is all I will,
and I will. "I will give," and "I will take away." This is the
royal style of the King of kings, who is able to accomplish all His will.
No word of His shall ever fall to the ground. The Lord knows right well
that you cannot change your own heart, and cannot cleanse your own
nature..."1.
It is evident that this transformation cannot
be achieved by human efforts, or one’s personal desire to change sinful
habits. It must occur from within, and only by a divine miracle from
God. Only God can change the heart, mind and spirit of mortal man.
Having the laws of God supernaturally instilled within us, is part of the
process of “being conformed to the image of His Son”. These scriptures
plainly demonstrate that it is the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, who
are responsible for giving us a new heart and nature; and each are
embedded in His eternal laws of love. This new heart and nature will
create a fervent desire to walk in accordance with God’s statutes and
judgments.
True obedience flows from one's heart. It
is a fruit and product of grace. It does not include the
self-righteous acts of self-control or self-discipline. Neither does
genuine obedience stem from the fear of punishment. The desire to
abide by God's laws is generated from a heart of appreciation and
thanksgiving to God and Jesus for the unbelievable riches, which dwell in
the Good News of salvation.
It is through our obedience that we prove we
have surrendered our lives to God and the Lord, Jesus Christ. Grace
produces the desire to please God and follow His laws from a heart of
love. Grace does not give us a license to sin; but should make us want to
give ourselves totally to our Heavenly Father, who loves us so deeply. Of
course, all of these aspects of the Christian life are only possible
through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.
These scriptures prove that God's eternal laws were not
erased by Christ's crucifixion. For if God’s
laws were abolished at the cross, then they would have ceased to exist.
It would not be practical for God to inscribe something upon
one's heart, which is no longer in existence.
We are saved by grace - alone.
Nonetheless, we must
choose to allow God to change our hearts, so that we may begin to walk in concert with His
will, judgments, statutes and laws.
Shew me thy ways,
O LORD; teach me thy paths.
Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou
art the God of my salvation...(Psalms 25: 4-5)
