The Perfect Pattern – Reproduced

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting” - I Tim. 1:15-16.

The apostle Paul was inspired to write, that “God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery…which is Christ in you the hope of glory” – Col. 1:27. He wrote “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” That is quite an amazing statement. He further wrote, “I am crucified with Christ; nevertheless I live; yet not I, Christ liveth in me.” Thank God that our apostle Paul was not a “Man’s man, nor his own man, doing his own thing. For his transformed life was conformed to a pattern, and was to be a pattern to others of like faith, on a like course.

Galatians 1:15-16 states, “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.”

The pattern of Paul’s life was not his own, but Christ’s. It wasn’t laid out by his own wisdom, nor carried out by his own determination. He had Jesus Christ always before him, filling his vision, occupying his attention. How about us? These things can also be true on our course of life.

God’s Plan for Humanity: Before the foundation of the world, God designed a way to bring many sons to glory in conformity to the image of His perfectly beautiful, altogether lovely Son. He is so completely different from any earthly role-model that the mind of man would perpetrate. I appreciate His description in Hebrews 7:24-26. “But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood. Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher then the heavens;” We then are entreated by; “Be ye not conformed to this world;” i.e. don’t let the world squeeze you into its mold.

Out of the dust of the earth God formed man, and breathed into him the breath of life. Then sin deformed us. Education may inform us. Legal religion will try to reform us, but Jesus Christ came to give His life for us, to us, and to live in us. He did this that He might transform us from the inside out. While Jesus is being revealed to us, He is also to be revealed in us. As His life is being formed within – Gal. 4:19. We are also to be growing up into Him in all things – Eph. 4:15. Our Father at this moment is making all things work together for our good, that we might be conformed to the image of His dear Son. GLORY TO GOD, HALLELUJAH! (Rom. 8:28-29)

I am persuaded also that it is in this way He develops His kings and priests (Rev. 1:6) that shall reign with Him over the earth. God’s Son is soon to reign as King of kings, and Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16). What a marvelous pattern. As we submit, our lives are made to fit that pattern. As Jesus Christ is being revealed to our hearts by His Word, we are being changed from one degree of glory to another (II Cor. 3:18). Our part is to feed on the Word, believe it with our heart, and completely submit to the working of the Holy Spirit.

“We shall be like him; for we shall see Him as He is” – I John. 3:2.