So, what does it mean for a man to be conformed to God’s image? In a word it means perfection. Jesus said, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) He did not speak in hyperbole here. He meant what he said. According to John when Jesus saved the woman caught in adultery he told her, “Go and sin no more.” If any of us sin no more, then we have come into perfection.
Man’s perfection, then, is the goal of creation. When a man has been fully made into God’s image, when he is conformed to the image of God’s Son, then, and only then, has his creation been completed. Then will be fulfilled the word of the prophet, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” (1 John 3:2) But John proceeds from here, saying, “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” (1 John 3:3)
The word translated “pure” in 1 John 3:3 is the Greek word hagnizo which means “to make clean.” This explains why so much of the focus of the Old Covenant dealt with the distinctions of clean versus unclean animals, clean versus unclean foods, and blood sacrifices which made men ceremonially clean so that they could approach God. All of these rules and regulations paint a picture of the ultimate state of God’s created man, being clean and pure before his Maker.
Why does God require a man to be holy? Isaiah says, “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” (Isaiah 57:15) God’s very name is “Holy.” He will accept no less from his creation whom he has made in his image.
But, how can a man ever attain this perfection of holiness? “It is impossible,” say most men. And this would be true if men and God were confined by the natural. In fact, it would be harder than pushing a camel through the eye of a needle. “But,” says Jesus, “With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” And this brings us back to God’s plan from the beginning.
As we saw earlier, God did not create man fully in his own perfected image in the beginning. He made him in such a way that he could be tempted by sin and even put the tempter in the garden with Adam. God purposed and planned that Adam would sin by eating of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. After he ate thereof God said that the man had now become like him, knowing good and evil. This completed the first necessary step in God’s plan following man’s initial creation. After this God began to work on preparing a “firstfruits” company of “sons” who would ultimately become the first ones made into his complete and perfect image. The Bible gives these people various names including the “remnant,” the “branch,” the “overcomers,” and the “144,000.” It turns out that the Bible itself was really written primarily for these particular “predestined” persons.
Most people believe God gave the Bible so that men would believe that Jesus is the Christ, make a confession of faith, and thereby be saved from eternal hell. No, Jesus’ death affects and saves all men. He was never concerned about keeping you or me out of hell. That is a done deal. Rather, Jesus was concerned about completing his creation. This is why John says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12 KJV) Most Christians teach that once you believe in Jesus you automatically become a son of God. Not so, says John. When you truly believe upon Jesus you receive the “power” only “to become” a son of God. God calls this power the Holy Spirit. Most of the Bible deals with man learning to submit to this power. Only when we submit to God in us, to the Holy Spirit within us, can we ever become conformed to God’s image. Thus the Holy God reveals to Isaiah that he dwells with the humble and contrite of spirit, with those who learn to submit to God’s plan of righteousness and justice.
Jesus revealed this from his very first sermon when he proclaimed from the mountainside,
3Blessed are the poor in spirit [to be poor in spirit means to realize that you do not presently walk in spiritual perfection and understanding; thus you patiently wait for the resurrection of your body and glorification of your flesh as you continue to trust in God]: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are they that mourn [to mourn means to walk through life in sorrow for the failing and shortcomings of your flesh, to weep over your own carnality and inability to perfectly obey God]: for they shall be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. 6Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness [righteousness and justice form the foundation of God’s throne which establishes the very essence of his rule and authority over all creation]: for they shall be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful [Jesus condemned the religious leaders of Israel because they condemned men under the harsh penalties of his law, but never understood that that law was to be implemented with mercy, for mercy and truth, that is righteousness and justice, establish the very foundation of his throne, his authority, his rule]: for they shall obtain mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart [this looks forward to the glorification of our bodies; only those who seek purity of heart shall ever see God and, as John says, they will be able to see him for then they will be like him]: for they shall see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. 10Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:3-10)
Thus we see that all of God’s word deals with teaching men the principles of being conformed to God’s image. Hebrews 5:14 calls this “the teaching about righteousness.” Let us learn what that means.
