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Is It Time to Get in Shape ?
Is it Time to Get in Shape?
“We all, . . . beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory.” - 2 Corinthians 3:18
Putting yourself next to Christ’s perfect character may reveal how “out of shape” we are. To be transformed into His image means we become complete and mature like Jesus (Ephesians 4:13).
How long will it take to transform a person who was once committed to selfishness, pride, and worldliness to the outline of Christ? It will take all we have for as long as we have. Imitating Christ’s love, zeal, compassion, discipline, mercy, etc. begins when we allow our will to be molded into the same attitudes and behaviors of Jesus. This we can know and understand as we wholly meditate on the truth Jesus left us to follow. What Jesus came to bring all mankind is abundant life (John 10:10). With His instructions we have all we need which pertains to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).
Along the way, being conformed into the image of Christ may mean being brought through sufferings. It would not be what we would ask for or expect, but James 1:2-4 says they produce joy, faith, and patience. Jesus himself even learned obedience from the things He suffered (Hebrews 5:8).
Denial is also part of measuring up to Jesus. Taking away sin at our conversion to Christ in baptism is a wonderful blessing. The next step is keeping off “the weight and sin which doth so easily besets us” (Hebrews 12:2). This is where we need some self-control and change of direction. There are some associates, places, possessions, and items, which will need to be removed. The places where we went where sin took place must be avoided. The ungodly attitudes we had will need to be replaced with spiritual attitudes like courage, love, truth, and good. We may have to sacrifice more than a friend or two or a possession or two. We may even have to sacrifice what our family wants for what Jesus wants us to be and look like (Luke 12:51-53).
Trusting your instructor Jesus will be the most important key to transformation. There are a lot of people you trust teaching you about how to live life and see good days. In Matthew 24:23, there was a warning about certain men would say, “Lo, here is the Christ, or Here..” Jesus immediately said, “believe it not”. Beware of those who make out to be “helpers” and “advisors” of your spiritual life. Your trust in them could lead you on a road toward being what makes you feel good about yourself rather than toward how to “live soberly and righteously, and godly in this present world” (Titus 2:12). To be conformed into the image of Christ, have the confidence in Jesus Paul expressed in 2 Timothy 1:12 “…for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded, that he is able to guard that which I have committed unto him against that day..”
