Conformed to The Image
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29 (KJV)
Foreknow in the original language means to know beforehand. Predestinate in the Greek means to decide beforehand. To be conformed speaks of having the same form as another. Image is the representation and manifestation.
When we understand what these words mean, we see that God is making us Christlike in our character; our spirits worked out in our souls and our bodies. The transformation will be complete at the resurrection and rapture. God knew beforehand who would receive Him and He decided in advance what He would do for those who accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord.
We represent Christ in how we think, talk, and act. Thus, we manifest who Christ is in a godly way. The Firstborn, Jesus, set the example for us to follow. He is the firstborn among many brethren (us). In the Greek, firstborn means first, to beget, which indicates a place of preeminence among many brethren and over all things. Christ was the firstborn of God through the virgin Mary (Matthew 1:25). As such, He holds a superiority of position (Exodus 4:22, Deuteronomy 21:16-17). He holds the highest honor and position in God’s family.
So, before He made the universe or before He made us, God decided and planned that we would be conformed to be like Christ. In this, we would represent and manifest Christ in our personal lives and to others. He did this so we could have a place in Christ to rule in this present life, as well as forever with Him.
Daily, God is maturing us to be more and more like His Son Jesus. He is doing it by His Word and His Spirit. As we learn and obey God’s Word, the Holy Spirit is making us to be like Christ, and what is not finished in us will be completed at the rapture.
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. I John 3:2 (KJV)
