Romans 8:29 - Gods One Great Goal; for You to Become Like Christ.
Romans 8:29 (NLT) 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 (MSG) God knew what he was doing
from the very beginning. He decided from the
outset to shape the lives of those who love him
along the same lines as the life of his Son. The
Son stands first in the line of humanity he
restored. We see the original and intended shape of
our lives there in him.
Romans 8:29 (TLB) For from the very
beginning God decided that those who came to him - and
all along he knew who would - should become like
his Son, so that his Son would be the First,
with many brothers.
COMMENTARY PEARL
God's One Great Goal
What is God's great goal in the universe
to which His energies are devoted? We have it
in our text for today. The Living Bible puts
this best, and I have no hesitation in saying
that although it is not regarded as a true
translation (it is, rather, a paraphrase), its rendering
of Romans 8:29 is one of the most exciting
things I have ever read. This is what it says: "For
from the very beginning God decided that those
who came to him should become like his Son."
God's great energy and wisdom, working on behalf
of all Christians, is directed to making us
like His Son Jesus Christ. Of course this purpose
will only be fully realized in the world to come,
but while we are here, He is pursuing this same
purpose nevertheless.
It is only when we comprehend this that
we will be able to understand the purpose that
lies behind all our trials and difficulties.
Romans 8:28 - "We know that all things work
together for the good of those who love God" - must
be read in connection with Romans 8:29. Because
God is committed to making us like His Son, His
wisdom goes to work on every trial that comes our
way in order to bring from it something that
will enrich our character and make us more like
Jesus Christ.
Infinite power is ruled by infinite
wisdom. He could deliver us and make our lives
comfortable, but in a fallen world this is not the best
purpose. Understanding this is crucial if we are to
live our lives the way God desires.
Father, forgive me that so often my goals
are diametrically opposed to Yours. Help me
bring my goals in line with Your goals. I shall
need Your help to adjust. Whatever happens, keep
me ever moving toward becoming more and more
like Jesus. Amen. [Every Day With Jesus Bible
with Selwyn Hughes devotional]
COMMENTARY
The Pathway of Spiritual Growth
God predestined us to grow into His
likeness, but this doesn't happen at the moment we are
saved. While we are redeemed by the Savior's
precious blood and immediately have a new heart, our
transformation is a lifelong process.
The Holy Spirit enables this journey.
Growth is impossible without Him, regardless of our
efforts. Yet we can welcome or hinder His
transforming hand.
One way we give God willing access to our
lives is by obeying this mandate in Romans 12:2:
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be
transformed by the renewing of your mind..."
Everyone chooses either a biblical or
worldly philosophy as his or her source of
truth--and that choice shapes the mind and spirit.
Therefore, the Lord tells us to immerse our mind in
Scripture, allowing Him to mold us into His beautiful
image.
The Bible story about the Israelites
wandering in the wilderness illustrates this
principle. After saving them from Pharaoh's abuse, God
did not bring them immediately to the Promised
Land. The Lord knew doing so would bring sinful
ways with them. Instead, He led them to the
wilderness and gave the Ten Commandments. Only after
they learned to obey and turn to almighty God
were they ready for the next step.
The process of sanctification isn't
always pleasant. In fact, it's often painful for
us, just as it was for the Israelites. In God's
amazing wisdom and love, however, He knows what we
need to leave our old ways that lead to death.
And He builds new character in us - full of life
and joy. [In Touch Daily Devotional by Charles
Stanley at www.intouch.org]
Gods goal has always been to make you
like himself. He wants you to become like his
Son. In other words, he wants you to grow up
spiritually.
The Bible says, From the very
beginning God decided that those who came to him - and
all along he knew who would - should become like
his Son (Romans 8:29 TLB).
As a pastor, the number one question
Im asked is this: Why is this happening to
me? Ill tell you why: Its to help you
grow.
In fact, everything in life can help you
grow up spiritually - the good, the bad, the
ugly, the things you bring on yourself, and the
things that other people do to you. God is not the
author of evil. But God can bring good out of bad
things.
Every situation in life will either make
you bitter or make you better. Its your
choice how you choose to respond. Instead of
asking, God, why is this happening to me? ask,
God, what do you want me to learn from this?
Every problem God can use to help you
grow up spiritually and be more like Jesus
Christ.
So, if one of the purposes of your life
is to grow up spiritually and to become like
Jesus, what is Jesus like? Just look at the fruit
of the Spirit. The Bible says, He will
produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness
and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23 TLB).
These are the qualities God wants to develop in
you.
How does God produce those qualities and
help you grow up spiritually? He teaches you
these qualities by putting you in the exact
opposite situations.
He teaches you love by putting you around
unlovely people. He teaches you joy in the middle of
grief. God teaches you peace when youre
surrounded by chaos. He teaches you patience when it
seems like the line youre standing in goes on
forever.
God will teach you these qualities
throughout your life - and the process will take the
rest of your life. But you can trust that,
whatever you face today, he will use it to help you
develop spiritual depth and become more like Christ.
[Daily Devotional by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/] mod.
CLOSING THOUGHT
Youre Called to Become Like Christ
Most of us had big dreams when we were
young. We wanted to become something great. Maybe
it was a baseball player or a ballerina or the
president.
For most of us, that dream looks a bit
different today. In fact, you may even think youve
missed out, that you didnt become what you hoped
to become.
But heres something you need to know:
You have been called to become something
significant. Or more precisely, youve been called to
become like someone significant.
The Bible says, 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 NLT).
Youre called to become like Jesus.
That doesnt mean youre going to become like
a god. Well never be little mini-gods.
Thats not going to happen.
But God does want you to become godly -
to become like him. He wants you to take on the
characteristics of Jesus, who is loving, joyful, peaceful,
patient, kind, self-controlled, and gentle (you may
recognize these as some of the fruit of the Spirit
found in Galatians 5:22-23).
Will that kind of growth happen
overnight? Absolutely not. Will it happen easily?
Nope.
But youll get there.
The Bible promises us this: I am
certain that God, who began the good work within
you, will continue his work until it is finally
finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns
(Philippians 1:6 NLT).
Next time you think about the fruit of
the Spirit and get discouraged at how far you
still have to go, remember this: God isnt
finished with you yet! He is still working to make
you more like Jesus. [Daily Devotional by Rick
Warren: https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS TOPIC
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2018/20181101-1138.html
YOUR COMMENTS
If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in
hearing from you. Thanks in advance and let's keep
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred
Gibbs
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
Most Important Decision in Life:
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0
A Man without Equal by Bill Bright:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo
Steps to Peace by Billy Graham:
https://stepstopeace.org/
Seeking God Made Real:
http://vimeo.com/31489782
Prayer Made Real:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE
LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES
Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies:
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/
Amazing Facts Bible Studies:
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx
Voice of Prophecy Discover Bible Study
Guides:
https://www.voiceofprophecy.com/study/discover
Glow Tract Video Bible Studies:
http://www.bibleresearch.info/
LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS
Unlocking Bible Prophecies by Cami Oetman of
Adventist World Radio: https://www.awr.org/bible
Panorama of Prophecy with Pastor Doug
Batchelor: https://www.panoramaofprophecy.com/
Hope Awakens by John Bradshaw of IIW:
https://itiswritten.tv/programs/hope-awakens
Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657
Islam and Christianity in Prophecy, The
Third and Final Conflict by Tim Roosenberg:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHSJB-fuHLU&list=PLWhQIHGTHlkaGg5Cwe3NDzWtFX8vNSpsE
