Conforming to His Image

“Whom he foreknew he predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29). “Conformed to the image of his Son” is something more specific than being like him. It means being like Christ in passing through suffering on the way to glory. God pre-determined that purification through tribulation should precede reigning on high forever. That was the case with his Son, and it is the case with us sons as well.

We look past any shame and suffering to the glory that follows (Romans 8:30; Hebrews 12:1-2). By lifting our eyes to the future reward, we find encouragement to endure whatever precedes it. Symbolically today we “drink the cup” he drank in gratitude for his having done so for us already and in pledge to finish our course in the prospect of joining him on high.