Becoming More Like Christ

I want to be conformed to the image of Christ and I want to exhort you to be too. This is both negative and positive.

Negative: Be not conformed to this world.

Positive: Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.

Any worldling can be a gossip, a backbiter, a slanderer, but Christian we are called to be like Christ. We need our thinking changed.

How can we do this?

Be Transformed!

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Conformed to the Image of His Son... Me?

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. 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. (Rom. 8:28)

God has a purpose.

God has a purpose for you and me.

God's purpose for you and me is to be conformed to the image of his Son.


Brother and sisters in Christ, how well are we doing with this?

One may ask,

"How is it possible to be conformed to the image of Christ?"

Great question! I have asked this one my self. Next week I hope to start posting more on this idea, so please leave any questions, comments, and or suggestions you my have on this topic. My springboard verses will most likely include Romans 12:1-2; and 1Corinthians 10:13.

In His care,
Brother John

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. 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. (Rom. 8:28)

God has a purpose.

God has a purpose for you and me.

God's purpose for you and me is to be conformed to the image of his Son.


Hey brother or sister in Christ, how well are you doing with this?

Keep pressing on,
Brother John

Who Did Paul Say It To?

"...to be conformed to the image of his Son..."

Who Said it?

"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."

The Doctrines of Grace

The following is just small piece from a post on the attributes of God from TEC Theology Page I have expanded my thoughts here a bit.

Grace

This may be a good reminder to those of us who have received the grace of God in our lives, it is to me any way.

Grace is God's love that is exercised to the unworthy, this includes you and me, we are all unworthy of God's love. Grace is God's goodness manifested toward the undeserved, this also includes you and me none of us deserve God's goodness. Grace is God's free actions on behalf of the unmerited, this once again includes you and me none of us can preform well enough to merit God's benifits to us. (cf. Titus 3:4-7)

Here are seven basic biblical doctrines of God's grace, but they may not be what some of my brothers and sisters view as "the doctrines of grace". See weather you agree or not. Compare this teaching with a list I found here.

1. Salvation is a product of God's grace (Acts 18: 27; Eph. 2: 7-9; Titus 2: 11).

2. Election is the result of God's grace (Eph. 1: 4-6).

3. Redemption is the riches of God's grace (Eph. 1: 7-8).

4. Sanctification is the fruit of God's grace (Rom. 5: 21).

5. Preservation is God's grace perfecting His strength in our weakness (2Cor. 12: 9).

6. Service is the overflow of God's grace (Heb. 12: 28).

7. Grace is the result in that final presentation in Christ (1Pet.1: 13).

Scripture:
Ephesians 2:8-10

Aplication:
Just as God has demonstrated His grace to us we should be gracious to one another; in our homes, in our churches, and in the world those we like and those we don't like, the lovable and the unlovable.

Here are some other ways (I barrowed from The Disconnected Generation, by Josh McDowel I highly recomend this book) that the truely regenerate can demonstrate God's grace in their home, in the church, and in the world.

Affirmation- for a sense of authenticity to [others]
Acceptance- for a sense of security to [others]
Appreciation - for a sense of significance to [others]
Affection - for a sense of lovability to [others]
Availability - for a sense of importance to [others]
Accountability - for a sense of responsibilty to [others]

Whatever your thoughts may be on this, and I am interested in your thoughts, the truley regenerate can be gracious to everyone they meet. We can be... by grace found in Christ.

Stay bright,
Brother John

Contend for the Faith, Seriously!

To contend for the faith, fundamentalists should keep in mind to take doctrine seriously, very seriously. However, this does not mean we need to take ourselves so seriously. We could lighten up a bit; some of us could lighten up a lot. We do not need to elevate our own self-importance to a level of superiority, nor be self-debasing in pride, feigning humility. These wrong attitudes in the heart of the Christian are carnal and worldly… evidence of an immature spirit, and it defaces the gospel message. This also spoils our unity and gives a skewed picture of what the victorious abundant life in Christ is all about.

Stay Salty,
Brother John