Carbon Copies ∙∙∙
For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. – Romans 8:29
Philippians 3:7-14
I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. 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 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. 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.
I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Words That Outlive Their Origins and Point Beyond Themselves
The English language is full of words rooted in technologies that are no longer used. Two such terms appear whenever we send an email: cc and bcc. These abbreviations stand for carbon copy and blind carbon copy.
Both terms come from carbon paper, a thin sheet coated with a dark, waxy pigment. When placed between two blank sheets, it transferred whatever was typed or written on the top page onto the bottom one, producing a “carbon” copy. With the advent of copy machines, carbon paper became obsolete, yet the terms remain. We still use cc and bcc, even though the technology that gave rise to them has largely disappeared.
The Father’s Eternal Purpose
In Romans 8:29, Paul clearly reveals the Father’s purpose in choosing His people: they are to be conformed to the image of His Son. The goal of redemption is not merely forgiveness or future glory, but present transformation. God intends that the character, disposition, and moral beauty of Christ be increasingly formed in those who belong to Him.
A simple illustration helps make this truth clear. Just as carbon paper receives the impression of the original and reproduces its marks, so the Father purposes for the life of His Son to be impressed upon our lives. He is shaping us so that the character of Christ becomes progressively visible in our thoughts, attitudes, choices, and conduct.
This comparison remains compelling because it points to a profound spiritual reality. In a far deeper and holier sense, every child of the King is called to become a living reflection of the Lord Jesus Christ.
REFLECT & PRAY
MacDonald remarks that 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.
Father, thank You for knowing all things in advance and for orchestrating my life from the very beginning. You have made it clear that You desire for me to become more and more like Your Son. Give me a willing heart to cooperate with Your work in me and the humility to welcome the ways You are shaping me.
INSIGHT
To Share the Likeness of His Son
The Greek term rendered “conformed” is summorphos, which conveys the idea of being similar in “nature, essence, or form.” It combines two Greek words: sun, meaning “with,” and morphe, meaning “form.” Literally, it means “to share the same form as another.” Paul’s intention is unmistakable: we are to bear the likeness of Christ in a real and growing way. Translators have rendered the phrase “to become like his Son” 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).
Our eternal relationship with the living God begins when we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. At that moment, the Father adopts us as His children into His Forever Family. Yet He established this relationship for more than our salvation and eternal life. His purpose extends further: He is actively shaping us into the image of Christ, so that our lives increasingly reflect His Son.
What Does it Mean to Be Conformed into the Image of Christ?
To be conformed to the image of Christ is to become more like Him in character, conduct, and inward disposition. This transformation unfolds in three interrelated ways:
- Inner Transformation: The Holy Spirit works within the children of the King to bring about spiritual renewal. He changes our hearts and minds, aligning our desires, thoughts, and values with those of Christ. This process, often called sanctification, causes us to grow in holiness, righteousness, and purity.
- Outward Expression: What the Spirit accomplishes within inevitably becomes visible without. As children of the King, we grow in faith, love, compassion, humility, and obedience, and this inward change becomes evident in our actions, attitudes, and relationships with others.
- Lifelong Process: The Spirit’s work is rarely instantaneous. It begins at the moment of salvation and continues throughout our lives. Over time, we become more and more like Christ, gradually reflecting His beauty, grace, and glory to those around us.
Pressing Toward the Goal
The apostle Paul understood that this transformation is a lifelong pursuit rather than a single event.
Philippians 3:12-14:
“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. 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, 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 freely acknowledges that he has not yet reached completion, yet he continues pressing forward with focused determination. He uses two vivid images to describe this pursuit:
- Grasping the Purpose for which Christ Grasped Him: When Christ stopped Paul on the road to Damascus, Paul devoted himself fully to fulfilling Christ’s purpose for his life and left behind his former ambitions. In the same way, Christ takes hold of each child of the King for a purpose, and we are called to pursue that purpose wholeheartedly.
- Forgetting the Past and Reaching Forward: Dwelling on past achievements breeds complacency. Instead, each child of the King should focus solely on the goal ahead, like a runner fixed on the finish line.
As Barclay observes, the Christian life resembles that of an athlete who is always pressing forward toward the goal.
The Runner’s Stretch
The Greek translated “looking forward,” “straining forward,” or “reaching forward” is epekteinomenos, meaning “stretching myself out toward.” This extraordinarily vivid metaphor pictures a runner leaning toward the goal, neck extended, every muscle straining toward the finish line. Epekteinomenos conveys the exertion of utmost energy and a singular, unwavering focus.
The Assurance of His Purpose
Our pursuit of Christlikeness rests not ultimately on our own strength, but on the Father’s unwavering purpose and sustaining grace.
Romans 8:28: “For he knew all about us before we were born, and he destined us from the beginning to share the likeness of his Son.”
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© Dr. H 2026
