Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness (Genesis 1:26).

 

What greater honor could there possibly be than to be created in the image of God? Man is the crown of God's creation. Man is the one to most reflect His nature; this is the ultimate purpose of man. If there is any way for us to measure the success of our lives, it would be by how well we have reflected Him in our lives. For this reason we read in Romans 8:28-30:
 

 

       And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, 

       to those who are called according to His purpose.
 

       For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son,

       that He might be the first-born among many brethren;

       and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified;

       and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

 
 

The Fall of man did not disrupt God's ultimate calling upon men, but only delayed it a little. The Lord used the Fall to reveal His unfathomable love, and to bring forth a "new creation" that was much higher than the first creation. Those who overcome the Fall by their faith in the cross of Jesus Christ, will become joint heirs with Him.

 

For this reason "God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). Everything that happens to us is for the purpose of bringing forth God's higher purpose in our lives. That higher purpose is Christlikeness. Every trial and every problem is for the purpose of conforming us to the image of Christ. If we will look at our problems in that light, we will be able to understand and overcome them. In all things we must keep the high calling of being conformed to the image of Christ as our purpose.

 

To understand our transformation we must understand II Corinthians 3:18: "But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit." We are to be transformed "from glory to glory." This indicates an unfolding process to change us into His image. This is not a process that we can engineer or control, but it is "from the Lord, the Spirit." All that we can do is submit to it. We submit to it by "beholding the glory of the Lord." As we behold His glory, we will be changed into His image.

 

When we fall into the trap of trying to change ourselves, it results in looking at ourselves instead of Him. This will inevitably lead to the black hole of self-centeredness. Even after we are born again into the Lord, transformation needs to take place in our lives. However, we will never be changed by dwelling on what is wrong with us, but rather by beholding the glory of the Lord. As we keep our attention on Him, we will change, even if we are often unaware of it.

 

John the Baptist said, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30). Many, seeking to emulate this noble devotion, have determined they must decrease so that He can increase, but that is not what John said. It is in fact the opposite and will bring about the very opposite results we are seeking, which is to be like Christ. If we are trying to decrease so He can increase, it is still we who are in control. For us to be transformed into His image, "He must increase," and then we will decrease. If we get this backwards, it will result in the religious spirit of the Pharisees.

 

He increases in us as we behold His glory, not our own shortcomings. The Holy Spirit was sent to convict us of sin, and He will point out our sin. The remedy is to repent. Repentance is not just turning away from the sin, but it is turning to the Lord. If we only take a half step of turning from the sin, we will fall again. We must turn to the Lord, fleeing to the power of His cross, beholding His glory and nature. Then we will be changed. Therefore, when we sin, we must not run from the Lord, but rather to Him.

 

       For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses,

       but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
 

       Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace,

       that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15-16).