More like Christ

On the way to church yesterday, I was thinking how the theme of transformation keeps coming up in the things I’m seeing and hearing.  Then the thought came to me that the Spirit of God takes the written Word of God and transforms it into the living Word of God in me and through me – Christ in me, the Hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).  I thought of the first couple of verses of Romans 12:

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)

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.

² 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.

So I was not surprised when something like this was said during the church service I attended, and the subject of becoming more like Christ -as the fulfillment of God’s purpose for us - was brought forth.  It was really a confirmation of what I’ve been getting for a while (I blogged about it in the February 25, 2013, day 13 entry during Lent), and another reason why I feel the Lord is impressing upon me repeatedly the need for me to be and stay in His Word.

I am just marveling at God’s timing, and the mercy manifest toward me in additional confirmation as the 3^rd ODB devotional for this year (which, again, I am reading only on today!) speaks both of the resolution / goal of being more “Christlike”, and of the assistance we have been given in the Holy Spirit to accomplish God’s purposes in and through us.  Going back a couple of verses from some of what was mentioned in church gives:

Romans 8:22-30 (KJV)

²² For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

²³ And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.

²⁴ For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

²⁵ But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.

²⁶ Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

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.

³⁰ Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Of course I was then presented with an occasion to display an aspect of Christ’s character and would have failed most miserably had it not been for the Lord’s assistance and reminder of His purpose for, in and through my life.

Thank You, Lord, for always “being there” in magnificent omnipresence, for being Emmanuel, God with us, with me.  Thank You for Your faithfulness to Your Word to never leave me nor forsake me, for Your patience with me, for Your lovingkindness toward me and toward others.  I cannot thank You, cannot praise You enough …

… and my journey with my God continues …