This morning in my personal reading…

… it was mentioned of how our society has created a multi-billion dollar industry around convincing us that we need to change our bodily image and so we have industries created around the ideas of dieting, exercise and even plastic surgery. We examine ourselves in mirrors and on scales to examine our physical appearance while spending far less if any time with the same intensity examining our spiritual image. We are willing to face present pain for later profit that relates to a body we have for perhaps 80 years on average yet what we need to be more concerned about is experiencing what some might consider present pain for later eternal profit as we grow in God’s image.

Paul speaks about this in the 8th chapter of Romans addressing the importance of the Holy Spirit as our ‘personal trainer’ in our stages of growth to conform to God’s image. In this process to grow into the eternal image of God the Holy Spirit directs us to 3 places where self-examination can take place and we can measure our spiritual ‘gain’ in a way of speaking.

First we have God Himself. In Psalm 26:2 David called upon God to do what was necessary to prove he was walking in the way of God. David sought to have his heart and mind tested which it was for him and is for us in many ways. With daily effort and prayer often on our knees this present pain will have eternal gain.

We also examine ourselves (or should) daily by God’s Word. Hebrews 4:12 tells us this Word which is alive and powerful is the tool necessary to cut away the fat in our spiritual lives that will cause an untimely eternal death. It may be sharp and the world and the vast majority who live in it may not want this surgery but without it death is imminent.

Finally we have Christ Himself (Hebrews 12:1-2) upon who’s life we can look. Despised and forsaken in this life He now sits on the throne of God and if we desire to spend eternity in His presence then we also may have to face being despised and forsaken here and now.

Remember NO PAIN, NO GAIN.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Self-examination is necessary for the seed of eternal life to successfully grow and prosper.

DEVOTIONAL VERSE FOR TODAY: Romans 8:29 “conformed to God’s image”.

PRAYER FOR TODAY: Lord strengthen me to continue to grow in Your image.

QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT:

*** Gary Jerke *** Is a former State Representative, author and Life and Liberty News contributor