Becoming Like Jesus

For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. (Romans 8:29 NIV)
And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV)

Last week I looked at the Father's desire to have a family and how that family was rooted in his heart throughout all of eternity before the clock started ticking in Genesis. 

I let my imagination wander and I wonder what God thought his children would be like. I imagine him seeing Jesus and knowing instantly that he wants his family to be just like his son, Jesus. Paul catches hold of this for us and writes that we are being transformed into Jesus' likeness. Of course, if the fall hadn't happened we would always have been like him. But the fall brought a separation which has now been reversed through the death and resurrection of Jesus. We are redeemed back into everything that the Father had always planned for us. 

You may look at your life and think it is not very Christ-like. You may be aware of your actions and attitudes and think how far they are from those of Jesus. Well, I have some good news for you! The Father does not see you the way you see yourself. He sees you from the perspective of Heaven. Not only are you like his son Jesus, but you are 'in him' as well. 

You and I are in Christ and to me, this means that when God the Father looks at us he sees Jesus. 

We live in a fallen world with all its imperfections and weakness but that does not reduce the Heavenly reality in any way. Daily we are becoming more like Jesus. This is our sonship.