Rom_8:29
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.
When considering the vision of who God is calling us to be we must evaluate the significance of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ and how these facts impact that vision.
Here we will consider the participation of God in leading us to that vision.
According to Paul in Romans 8, God has a specific interest in the future of every believer. That God, by His foreknowledge, has pre-ordained that we will be conformed to the image and character likeness of Jesus Christ. So even though we are individuals and that will definitely be reflected in the vision we have for who we are to become, there are also certain traits and points of character that will consistently show up in every believer.
Those Traits and points of character are and will always be part of the transformation process from the point of new birth into God’s family through our faith and commitment to Jesus Christ, to the moment we set foot on the streets of heaven and enter forever into the presence of God.
So as we pray and seek God’s guidance to obtaining the vision of Who God is calling us to be, We must account for and include the freedom of God to work in our lives, by what ever means He chooses , to help bring us to a place where we look like Jesus in Character, word and action.
The New Testament is full of discussion and disclosure of these character components, both in the gospel records of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ , and in the epistles, where those common traits are described as the fruit of the spirit. The same Spirit Jesus promised would follow his assention.
John 14:
15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
Galatians 5 lays out the evidence of living in the flesh…
19. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
20. Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
21. Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
This is what we looked like before Christ began His work in us. Before the new birth , we were spiritually dead, and though we may not have each practiced all of these ” natural man ” character traits, we all practiced some and between us all of these things. Transformation is a process and even as Christians we still go through spiritual warfare, including daily battles with our old nature of the flesh.
In Christ however, we have been set free so that we may now choose not to sin. Instead we can embrace the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and intentionally seek to make The fruit of the Spirit a part of our new character. They are also found in Gal. 5….
22. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23. Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
As you seek out God’s guidance with forming a vision of where His is calling you, be sure to include those Christ like characteristics, Love, Joy, Patience, Peace, Gentleness, Meekness, Kindness, Self Control, Humility,and many other traits found in the Gospel records of the life of Christ. Are you intentionally seeking to facilitate the transformation process in your life? Do you have a Vision of what the man God is calling you to be looks like, to keep you focused and daily seeking progression in that transformation process? Are you a part of a group of men with a culture that promotes the transformation process in you? How much time do you spend battling the old desires of the flesh? Have you surrounded yourself with Men of Godly character to help you in overcoming those old desired of the flesh and encourage the fruit of the Spirit in you?
May God richly bless you as you seek out God’s purpose and presence in your life. May He give you a clear vision of where he is leading you and may He surround you with Men who love Him to help you along the way.
Men Like David 