Understanding Gods Ultimate Plan for Us
The Bible tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 “for I know the thoughts that I think toward
you, says the Lord Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an
expected end”. Many people read this scripture and then they thy to figure out
what’s God’s plan for their life. But God has the same plan for all of our lives. He
wants us to conform to the image of His Son. The image of God refers to the
human likeness to God. This is the most basic declaration made concerning the
nature of human beings from a Christian perspective. Humans are unique among
all creatures. They are like God and therefore able to have fellowship with God.
Being made in God’s image refers to characteristics God shares with us. (Romans
8:29-32), says “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. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them, He also called and whom He
called them He also justified and whom He justified, them He also glorified. What
shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He
that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with
Him also freely give us all things”?
The re-creation of the believers in the likeness of God in righteousness, holiness
of the truth, and true knowledge. In other words, Paul declares that the redeemed
are re-created into the image of God as they are transformed into the image of
Christ, who bears the untainted image of God. Just as the fall of mankind into sin
was not without its effect on the image of God, so also redemption from sin affects
humans as the image of God. Ephesians and Colossians speak of renewal in the
image of God the Creator. To see Christ is to see the Father (John 14:9),
however in the passage cited, it is the incarnate Mediator, the last Adam, who is
all that God intended the first Adam to be. Jesus is called the last Adam, God
intended for the first Adam to walk with Him, walking and doing the will of God.
Adam was taught the creative power of God, he was used to name all of the
animals. When Adam fell, he fell because he decided to listen to the devil and
obey him, over God; Romans 6:16 says “know you not, that to whom you yield
yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey, whether of
sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness”?
Not only did God predestine our conformation to the image of Christ, He also has
made the way for us (Ephesians 2:1-10), says “and you has He quickened, who
were dead in trespass and sins. Wherein in time past you walked according to the
course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that
now works in the children of disobedience. Among whom also we all had our
conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh
and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But
God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us. Even when
we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, by grace you are
saved. And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly
places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding
riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace
are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not
of works, less any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in
them”. We have been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, and as we
believe this and walk it out, remember that as a man thinks in his heart so is he
(Proverbs 23:7). Meditate on the fact that God has done it (II Corinthians 5:17-
21) “therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed
away; behold all things are become new. And all things are of God, who has
reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to s the ministry of
reconciliation. To say, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not
imputing their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the word of
reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did
beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ’s stead, be you reconciled to God. For
He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew not sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in Him”.
And then in (Ephesians 4:11-15) which says “and He gave some apostles; and
some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. For the
perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of
Christ. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
That we hereafter be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with
every wind of doctrine, by the sleight f men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they
lie in wait to deceive. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all
things, which is the head, even Christ”. God has provided the five fold ministry
for us to be equipped. Study under ministries that build you up into Christ’s
likeness.
Many people receive Jesus as their Lord and their Savior, but never go on to
become what God has predestined them to be. God says in Hosea 4:6 “My
people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”. Even Jesus said in John 14:12
“verily, verily, I say to you, he that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do
also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go to My Father”;
however, many Christians don’t believe this is possible, but it is. God sees us
through the blood of Jesus.
Jesus said “but seek you first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all
these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). The first part of God’s plan
for us is to line up with the word and grow up into Christ’s likeness. Jesus tells us
how in John 15:4-8 “abide in Me, and I in you, as the branch cannot bear fruit of
itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can you, except you abide in Me. I am
the vine, you are the branches, he that abides in Me, and I in him, the same
brings forth much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing. If a man abide not in
Me, he is cast forth as a branch and is withered and men gather them, and cast
them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in
you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you. Herein is My Father
glorified, that you bear much fruit, so shall you be My disciples”.
Colossians 3:15-17 says “and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the
which also you are called in one body, and be you thankful. Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And
whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God and the Father by Him”.
A good example of what the image of Jesus looks like, read the book of Acts and
you will see that the early church did the things that Jesus did, and so can we.
Jesus said “all things are possible to them that believe”. Remember that in God’s
kingdom you have to believe it, before you will see it.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: October 20, 2009
The Bible tells us in Jeremiah 29:11 “for I know the thoughts that I think toward
you, says the Lord Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an
expected end”. Many people read this scripture and then they thy to figure out
what’s God’s plan for their life. But God has the same plan for all of our lives. He
wants us to conform to the image of His Son. The image of God refers to the
human likeness to God. This is the most basic declaration made concerning the
nature of human beings from a Christian perspective. Humans are unique among
all creatures. They are like God and therefore able to have fellowship with God.
Being made in God’s image refers to characteristics God shares with us. (Romans
8:29-32), says “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. Moreover whom He did predestinate, them, He also called and whom He
called them He also justified and whom He justified, them He also glorified. What
shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He
that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with
Him also freely give us all things”?
The re-creation of the believers in the likeness of God in righteousness, holiness
of the truth, and true knowledge. In other words, Paul declares that the redeemed
are re-created into the image of God as they are transformed into the image of
Christ, who bears the untainted image of God. Just as the fall of mankind into sin
was not without its effect on the image of God, so also redemption from sin affects
humans as the image of God. Ephesians and Colossians speak of renewal in the
image of God the Creator. To see Christ is to see the Father (John 14:9),
however in the passage cited, it is the incarnate Mediator, the last Adam, who is
all that God intended the first Adam to be. Jesus is called the last Adam, God
intended for the first Adam to walk with Him, walking and doing the will of God.
Adam was taught the creative power of God, he was used to name all of the
animals. When Adam fell, he fell because he decided to listen to the devil and
obey him, over God; Romans 6:16 says “know you not, that to whom you yield
yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are to whom you obey, whether of
sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness”?
Not only did God predestine our conformation to the image of Christ, He also has
made the way for us (Ephesians 2:1-10), says “and you has He quickened, who
were dead in trespass and sins. Wherein in time past you walked according to the
course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that
now works in the children of disobedience. Among whom also we all had our
conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh
and of the mind, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But
God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us. Even when
we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, by grace you are
saved. And has raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly
places in Christ Jesus. That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding
riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace
are you saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not
of works, less any man should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in
Christ Jesus to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in
them”. We have been made the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus, and as we
believe this and walk it out, remember that as a man thinks in his heart so is he
(Proverbs 23:7). Meditate on the fact that God has done it (II Corinthians 5:17-
21) “therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed
away; behold all things are become new. And all things are of God, who has
reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and has given to s the ministry of
reconciliation. To say, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, not
imputing their trespasses to them; and has committed to us the word of
reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did
beseech you by us, we pray you in Christ’s stead, be you reconciled to God. For
He has made Him to be sin for us, who knew not sin; that we might be made the
righteousness of God in Him”.
And then in (Ephesians 4:11-15) which says “and He gave some apostles; and
some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers. For the
perfecting of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of
Christ. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.
That we hereafter be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with
every wind of doctrine, by the sleight f men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they
lie in wait to deceive. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all
things, which is the head, even Christ”. God has provided the five fold ministry
for us to be equipped. Study under ministries that build you up into Christ’s
likeness.
Many people receive Jesus as their Lord and their Savior, but never go on to
become what God has predestined them to be. God says in Hosea 4:6 “My
people are destroyed for lack of knowledge”. Even Jesus said in John 14:12
“verily, verily, I say to you, he that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do
also; and greater works than these shall he do, because I go to My Father”;
however, many Christians don’t believe this is possible, but it is. God sees us
through the blood of Jesus.
Jesus said “but seek you first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all
these things shall be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). The first part of God’s plan
for us is to line up with the word and grow up into Christ’s likeness. Jesus tells us
how in John 15:4-8 “abide in Me, and I in you, as the branch cannot bear fruit of
itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can you, except you abide in Me. I am
the vine, you are the branches, he that abides in Me, and I in him, the same
brings forth much fruit, for without Me you can do nothing. If a man abide not in
Me, he is cast forth as a branch and is withered and men gather them, and cast
them into the fire, and they are burned. If you abide in Me, and My words abide in
you, you shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you. Herein is My Father
glorified, that you bear much fruit, so shall you be My disciples”.
Colossians 3:15-17 says “and let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the
which also you are called in one body, and be you thankful. Let the word of Christ
dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms
and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And
whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving
thanks to God and the Father by Him”.
A good example of what the image of Jesus looks like, read the book of Acts and
you will see that the early church did the things that Jesus did, and so can we.
Jesus said “all things are possible to them that believe”. Remember that in God’s
kingdom you have to believe it, before you will see it.
Study by: Harriet Bond
Date: October 20, 2009
