Carbon copies ∙∙
God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to be conformed to the image of his Son. – Romans 8:29
Philippians 3:7-14
7 I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done.
8 Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ
9 and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith.
10 I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death,
14 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
The English language is full of words rooted in technologies that are no longer used. When we email others, we often utilize two such terms: cc and bcc. These abbreviations stand for carbon copy and blind carbon copy, respectively.
The terms ‘cc’ and ‘bcc’ have an interesting origin. They were derived from carbon paper, a thin sheet coated with a dark waxy pigment. This paper was placed between two blank sheets, with the bottom one receiving a ‘carbon’ copy of what was typed or written on the top. Originally, ‘blind carbon copies’ referred to copies that were made without the recipient’s knowledge that they were duplicates. With the advent of copy machines, carbon paper became obsolete.
Despite this, the terms cc and bcc persist in our email communications. When we want to email multiple recipients, we simply cc them. When we wish to keep the recipients anonymous, we bcc them.
Every child of the King is meant to become a carbon copy of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 8:29 God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to be conformed to the image of his Son.
Paul clearly articulates the Father’s plan and purpose in choosing us: we are to be conformed to the image of His Son.
REFLECT & PRAY
The very idea that fallen, ungodly people “should one day be transformed into the image of Christ by a miracle of grace is one of the most astounding truths of divine revelation” (MacDonald).
Father thank You for knowing all things in advance. You have been orchestrating my life from the beginning. You have clearly stated that You want me to become more and more like your Son. Please encourage me to cooperate.
INSIGHT
The Greek term rendered as “conformed” is summorphos. It conveys the idea of being similar in nature, essence, or form. It is derived from two Greek words: sun (with) and morphe (form). Literally, it means to have the same form as another. Paul’s intention is clear: we are to be similar in nature to the very essence of Christ. The phrase “to become like his Son” has been translated in various ways: “to be like his Son” (Goodspeed), “share the likeness of his Son” (Moffatt), and “conformed to the likeness of his Son” (Barclay).
We begin an eternal relationship with the living God when we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. The Father adopts us as His children into His Forever Family. This relationship was established not merely to grant us salvation and eternal life; His eternal purpose is to make us more like Himself. He is actively working to conform us to the image of Christ.
Some of us resist or ignore the Father’s plan, but doing so is a disservice to ourselves. The Father is performing spiritual heart surgery to make us more Christlike.
What does it mean to be conformed to the image of Christ?
It means to become more like the Lord Jesus Christ in our character, actions, and essence. This metamorphosis involves:
1. Inner Transformation: The Holy Spirit works within the children of the King to bring about spiritual renewal. He changes their hearts and minds, aligning their desires, thoughts, and values with Christ’s. This process is often called sanctification. We grow in holiness, righteousness, and purity.
2. Outward Expression: The Holy Spirit brings about a behavioral change. As children of the King, we grow in our faith, love, compassion, humility, and obedience. This inner transformation becomes evident in our actions, behaviors, and interactions with others.
3. Lifelong Process: The Holy Spirit brings about continuous growth. The changes are rarely instantaneous, but rather, they continue throughout the life of a child of the King. It begins at the moment of salvation and continues throughout our lives. Over time, we become more and more like Christ, reflecting his beauty, grace, and glory to all who come in contact with us.
Philippians 3:12-14
12 I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me.
13 No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,
14 I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Paul acknowledges that he isn’t complete but is always striving ahead. He uses two vivid images to explain this:
1. Paul describes trying to grasp the purpose for which Christ has grasped him. When Christ stopped him on the Damascus road, Paul felt compelled to fulfill Christ’s vision for him. In doing so, he abandons his personal ambitions and goals. Christ grasps each child of the King for a purpose, so we must strive to fulfill it.
2. To achieve this, Paul says two things: he forgets what is behind him and reaches out to what is ahead. Reflecting on past achievements only leads to complacency. Instead, each child of the King should focus solely on the goal ahead, like a racer aiming for the finish line.
Paul emphasizes that the Christian life is like that of an athlete who is always pressing forward toward the goal (Barclay).
The Greek word translated as looking forward, straining forward, or reaching forward is epekteinomenos. Epekteinomenos (stretching myself out toward) is a metaphor with extraordinary vividness that envisions a runner leaning forward, sticking his neck out as he runs, leaning toward the goal. Epekteinomenosconnotes exerting the utmost energy and being single-minded, that is, laser-focused.
Romans 8:28-31
28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.
29 God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son . . ..
31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these?
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ 3-03-2
© Dr. H 2024
Dr H Reflections 