The Future of the Image of God (Romans 8:22-30)
Romans 8:22-30
What is the future of the image of God?
This week at Grace, as we finish our series on the Image of God we're going to consider what is still in front of us with regard to the Image of God. As Romans 8:29 states, it is the image of God (interestingly, described here as the image of his Son) that we will be conformed to.
Why would we need to be conformed to the image of Christ (future) if we are already made in the image of God (past)?
During this series, we've talked about how Adam and Eve were made in God's image, and how God's image continued after the fall in every person, regardless of capacity, age, generation, gender, or any other difference.
As we came to the New Testament, we saw that the image of God is not only a general description of all people, it is also the hope we have for knowing Jesus, the perfect image of his Father, and for our own spiritual life in Christ.
I hope that as we finish this series, it will give you a longing for God and help you understand how the doctrine of the image of God points us to the gospel:
- We were made in God's image.
- Our sins could not destroy God's handiwork.
- We have been redeemed by God's Son, the perfect image of the Father.
- We are redeemed into the image of Christ.
- We will be conformed to the image of Christ forever.
Praise God.
See you Sunday!
In Christ,
Pastor Bob
For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
-Romans 8:22-30