Monday, February 27, 2006

A Family Resemblance


To whom would you liken Me and make Me equal and compare Me, that we would be alike? Isaiah 46:5

Throughout Scripture, God proclaims He is God alone and there is no other. While people may claim He is one of many gods, He sets the record straight. There are countless false gods but only one true and living God. He alone created this world and He alone sustains it. He is the only One who deserves to be worshipped and will share His glory with no one else. He said He is a jealous God. So when I read His question in today’s verse I answer it with a resounding “No One”… as far as gods are concerned.

Yet I know that as His child He wants nothing more than to transform me into the likeness of His son. Jesus was the very likeness of His Father. He told His disciples, “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.” If we want to know what God is like we simply look at Jesus. His desire now is that we would be a picture of Him to others.

This is only possible as we spend time with Him. It is a daily process of getting into His Word, allowing His Word to get into us, and asking His Spirit to change us at the very core of our being. As we talk to Him throughout our day and allow Him to talk to us as well, we find a connection with His heart that is able to cause us to resemble Him.

My mother is in Heaven now but people tell me I am just like her. I enjoy hearing that! I know the character qualities they are referring to and the comparison is usually meant as a compliment. I inherited many traits from her and watched those traits develop as we spent time together.

I also know that when I admire people and spend time with them I tend to take on some of their qualities as well. They impact my life in such a way that I smile as I see resemblances of them in the way I think, speak, and act.

God is in the process of daily conforming us to the image of His Son. It brings Him great joy when we bear a family resemblance. When we become His through faith in Christ, we inherit many of His traits. As those traits are developed the likenesses become evident.
So who is like God? Hopefully it can be said, “His children!”

Father, You created us in Your image. While sin mars that image, You are restoring it. May I imitate You today. Amen.