29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30)

This year I have been consumed with this scripture. I’ll be the first to admit that last year was HARD.. I mean really hard. At times I felt like I’d lost more ground then I had taken. One step forward, two steps back. I know it was a season of shaking and testing in the body, and I was not exempt from that process. I kept being reminded “think it not strange when you fall into diverse trials”. In the end I came to the conclusion that no matter what, I was going forward, I didn’t have it in me to quit. But, sometimes when we’re in that place we tend to settle into this kind of comfortable mediocrity. You know what I mean..”I’m nothing, but God loves me the way I am”, or “I might fail, but God will still accept me”. OK, that is absolutely true. Nothing we will ever do will change how God feels about us. We didn’t earn it, and we can’t un-earn it. But this scripture says that those whom he calls he not only justifies, but he “Glorifies”! We justify our imperfection by saying “it’s not me, it’s Christ in me that matters”, but the scripture says “Christ in me, the HOPE OF GLORY”! It is Christ in us, but we are not just ugly imperfect puppets that get to be possessed by Jesus! It says that he was the fist born of many, and that we are being transformed into the image of the son, not possessed by the son. Listen, I know that I am not perfect, and probably will never be, but I refuse to settle for mediocrity. I know he loves me as I am, but he can make me more than what I am! I am not just a sinner saved by grace, but a new creation being metamorphisized (I just made that word up) into the image of Christ! I’m not talking about becoming “works” minded about my salvation, I’m talking about “putting on the new man”, the one that looks just like Jesus. He actually even prayed that for us himself over 2000 years ago.

20 “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. (John 17:20-23)

Wow! He didn’t say “just let them know you love them”. He said” the same glory you have given me, I give to them“. Yes we are loved, unconditionally, unequivocally loved by God almighty. We will never earn it, but we can honor it by becoming just like him.

Lord, make me more than just a man. Make me just like you.

Ever changing from Glory to Glory,

Pastor Josh