GOD'S DESIRE FOR SELF EXTENSION

"Then God said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth." (Genesis 1:26, NKJV)

Devotion 6 of 10

NOT ENOUGH TO REFRAIN FROM SIN

It is not enough to simply quit doing what is wrong. That does not properly reflect what God is like--and we are being restored to His image. The Lord not only does NOT do what is evil, He DOES what is righteous. The Lord Jesus Christ, Who is "the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being" Heb 1:3) is described by the Father Himself like this: "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy" (Heb 1:9). This is what empowered Jesus to fulfill the prophecy of Isaiah concerning Himself. "Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good" (Isaiah 7:15). That means Jesus fed His heart and mind on things that clarified the difference between good and evil. This is the kind of image to which salvation restores you.

From the positive point of view, salvation is becoming like the Lord Jesus Christ. That process begins in this world, and will be consummated, or completed, when we leave this world to be with the Lord. From this point of view, any salvation that does not result in you being made like Jesus is really no salvation at all! Remember, God has targeted to give you the world, but it cannot occur until you are like Him! He will not share His rule with someone unlike Himself. This is involved in the word of Amos to wayward Israel. "Can two walk together, except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3). God desires us to be united with Him, to fellowship with Him, and to participate in His objectives. For that to happen, however, we must not only leave the evil, but embrace the good. It is not enough to refrain from sin, although that is essential. it is also imperative that we "do good."

PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Christ, may I be as resolute and consistent in embracing the good, as you have commanded me to be in abstaining from evil.

-- TOMORROW: CHANGED INTO THE SAME IMAGE BY GOD'S SPIRIT --