Prepare For Impact!

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.”

Romans 8:29 – “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to 
                       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.

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.

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.

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