Lesson 6 - Conformed to the Image of Christ

Romans 8:29

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.

FOREKNOW The Greek word used in this passage for conformed is symmorphos: (Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.) It is pronounced Soom-mor-fos. Its primary meaning is jointly formed; and fashioned like unto. When we think in terms of the script that declares; He that is joined to the Lord is one spirit, then we can more clearly see how it was truly the eternal purpose of God to have a people who were likened unto Himself.

Philippians 2:5-6

5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

I was so blessed when I discovered that the Greek root word for form was ‘morphe’ which means: part, measure, and shape. But it also means; adjustments of parts. When a life is conceived in the womb, the physical body of the infant must have a soul. The soul is the life of the human body. Without the soul, the body is dead. However, the body of Christ is the “word made flesh.” But when we consider, the Word is Spirit, we begin to see the true meaning of form and conform come into view. These adjustments of parts are the marvelous work of the Father. In the beginning the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The term ‘form of God,’ places God Himself, on the scene in Christ Jesus.

The Father took the Word of God and formed a human body for the suffering of death; and then, He took the Spirit of the Word and made it the soul of that human body; and then, fitly joined that soul to the Holy Ghost. With this workmanship, we have the fullness of the Godhead bodily dwelling in one man. Jesus is truly the Son of God. Please also take note that in conversation, Christ always spoke from the position of the Spirit. He called Himself the bread that came down from Heaven.

1 Corinthians 15:45-47

45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.

46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual.

47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven.

If we are to be conformed to the image of Christ, it is necessary that we too, be birthed into the Kingdom of God as quickening spirits. 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 (Romans 8:29).

God is not the Father of flesh and blood. He is the Father of spirits. Therefore, there was indeed a necessity for adjustments of the spiritual parts of mankind. These adjustments were accomplished by the joining together of the soul to the Spirit of God. Again, this union made us one with the Father and the Son. Thus, “as he is, so are we in this world today.” This ‘form of God’ also provided Jesus and us with ‘equality’ with God. The word used here is agreement. But keep in mind that equality or agreement has the inference of sameness. This is important in that any other traditional implication would be a direct contradiction to the concept of “oneness with God.”

The fine line the Church must walk here is belief. It must believe that though Jesus was and is the express Son of God, He had the ability to sin against God. He simply chose not to. If this were not so, then where would be any valid testing of this man. Embracing this truth is the foundation regarding our spiritual growth. We are made liken unto Christ in Sprit and in truth. (As he is, so are we). Therefore, being a son of God does not take away our ability to obey or disobey the Father. Note the Father always mentioned how well pleased He was with Jesus. This was because Jesus always chose to obey Him. We can do the same.

Philippians 2:7-8

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

Now let’s go a little further with this conformation that was predestined by God before the foundations of the world. To be conformed also means to be fashioned like unto. This fashioning is relative to the shape and structure of the body we live in. Though Adam’s body was earthy it was also made in the image of God. (Let us make man in our image and after our likeness.) Though theologians may not readily agree on what is the image of God, as in whether image refers to Adam’s body or his spiritual parts; it is a certainty that most of them agree that the likeness refers to his body. There are many scriptures that speak to God as having hands, arms, feet, ears, mouth and so on.

Therefore, it is fair to conclude that the scripture would only use these terms to describe something that we were somewhat familiar with. Therefore, it is easily for the scriptures to conclude that Jesus was found in the fashion of a man, it is assuredly referring to the physical body of Christ. Remember, the prayer was, “Father make them one as we are one.” This conformation made us one with the God and His Christ by the joining of our soul to the Spirit of God. That is the meaning of sonship. Every son is joined to the Father by and in the Spirit. That is the nature of the new creature. That is also why all the attributes, desires, emotions and purpose of the sons of God instantly changed. In a moment in the twinkling of an eye, we were changed from earthy to heavenly. We have been truly conformed to the image of Christ.