CONFORMED TO CHRIST

Rom.8:29 – For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son…

Romans is the most complete doctrinal statement that we have been given in the Word of God. In Romans we see the ramifications of all that God has done for us through the redeeming work of Christ. Paul has taken us down the road of redemption starting with the revelation of the power of God found in the gospel. He proceeded to describe the sinfulness of man, the justice and mercy of God revealed at the cross, the fact that Christ died for the ungodly, that He justifies sinners, the power of the cross in delivering us from the power of sin, salvation that comes from the Spirit, and the power of the Spirit at work in us. In Romans 8 Paul comes to the crescendo as he describes election and predestination. Here is a lengthy quote from Jonathan Edwards on this passage. I tried to shorten it but there was just so much here. Take time to digest and enjoy.

“They are predestinated to be conformed to his Son in his death, in dying to sin and the world, and in his resurrection, by being quickened from being dead in trespasses and sins, and also in their bodies being raised, Christ the first fruits, and afterwards those that are Christ’s at his coming. They are conformed to Christ in his justification. When Christ rose, he was justified; and believers in their justification do but partake with him in his justification. They are conformed to Christ in his relation to the Father, or in his sonship, and are made also the children of God, so that they are his brethren, only he is the first-born among them, as the Apostle here observes. They are conformed to Christ in the Father’s love to him, and are partakers with him in it as members. They are conformed to Christ in his being heir of the world, and they are joint heirs. They are conformed to Christ in his exaltation and glorification, for he and they shall be glorified together. They are conformed to him in ascension into heaven; they shall also ascend. They are conformed to him in the glorification of his body, for their bodies shall be made like unto his glorious body. They are conformed to him in his enjoyment of the Father in heaven; they by being members of him partake with him in his enjoyment of the Father’s infinite love, and in his joy in the Father. His joy is fulfilled in them, and the glory which the Father has given him, he has given them. They are conformed to him in his reigning over the world.”

Romans can be quite overwhelming when the fullness of this message hits us. What Christ has done for us is beyond our comprehension, it will take eternity to appreciate all that He has done for us through His redeeming love.