In day-to-day life there is a lot of talk about impact. The
impact of climate change, the impact of a changing world economy. There is
great impact on people and relationships due to violence, drugs, broken
families and other poor choices made by both those we do and do not know. It
seems every area of life is impacted one way or another by something or
someone. What we do and don’t do, what we say and don’t say also impacts the
world and those around us. We need to prepare for impact!
For the most part we can control the impact we have on others. But
there are some things we have no control over. DNA is one of those things we
have no control over. Often, people have told Christine
and I that our son and daughter, resemble me. It is interesting that within a
family, members can look somewhat alike (similar, nose shape, smile, etc.), but
yet we each are unique.
God has
given us the opportunity to be a part of his family, as His child. As His child
he wants us to look like, to be like him, like his Son. Scripture says:
Gen 1:27 – “So God created
mankind in his own image, in the image of God he
created them; male and female he created them.”
created them; male and female he created them.”
Romans 8:29 – “For God knew his people in advance, and he
chose them to
become like his Son”
become like his Son”
We were created in the image of God, even as Christ
was in God’s image. Yes, we are created in His image, but there is more to
it. Author John Piper said: “As
we are conformed to the image of Christ, he is made more and more the center of
all things.”
Jesus himself is the image of God" (Colossians 1:15–16). Therefore, we are being made into images of the image of the Father.
Jesus himself is the image of God" (Colossians 1:15–16). Therefore, we are being made into images of the image of the Father.
We are each created by God as a one-of-a-kind in His
image and God wants us to live in His image, to live in the image of Christ. Living
in His image is reflected in the work of our hands, in our hearts, in our attitudes
and our actions. Everything we do is out of being in His image and is to be
done with His love. This only happens
after a heart transformation.
Jesus is our example. On the night before He went to
the cross, Jesus washed His disciples' feet.
In John 13 we read
Jesus sat down and said:
12 “Do
you know what I have done to you?
13
You call me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am.
14
If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought
to
wash one another's feet.
wash one another's feet.
15
For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to
you."
Further down we
read:
34. "A new commandment I give to
you, that you love one another; as I have
loved you, that you also love one another.
loved you, that you also love one another.
35. By this all will know that you
are My disciples, if you have love for one another.''
In verse 15 Jesus said “I have given you an example,”
Living in the image of Christ who is living in the image of God:
- God wants us to do what Jesus did.
- God wants us to love like Jesus loved.
- God wants us to live like Jesus lived.
- God wants us to impact others by doing, loving and living as Jesus did.
Over the next several posts I would like to explore
how we can live our lives with greater impact for Christ by following His
example.
Jeff