Connect360: Image and Destiny

• Lesson 6 in the Connect360 unit “Sacred Life: God’s Plan for Us” focuses on Romans 8:28-30.

There are few references to the divine image in the New Testament, but Romans 8 often is considered one of the primary New Testament passages that illustrates our understanding of divine image and also directly connects the concept of the image of God with heaven. Romans 8 teaches that there should be a future-oriented perspective when considering the meaning and significance of God’s image in humanity and Jesus Christ as the full image of God.

In this verse, the apostle Paul is creating a bridge between the concept of the image of God and the connection with Jesus Christ as the preeminent character in this passage. It may be tempting to read the terms foreknew and predestined and focus specifically on questions of God’s predestination in the process of salvation, but that is not the focus the biblical writer is trying to principally communicate in this verse. Rather, this verse highlights the heavenly future—or destiny—for those who are in Christ.

Predestination, as described here, is not a deterministic force but a divine plan to conform believers to the image of Christ. This transformation is both a present reality and a future hope, pointing to the moral and spiritual renewal that occurs in believers.

The salvation story for God’s children begins before we are born in the creation of humanity in God’s image.

Made in the image of God, a relationship with Jesus Christ—who is the image of God—makes it possible for humanity to fully reflect him (“conformed to the image of his Son”), and the full confirmation is possible when sin is no more. The image of God is then the bridge that connects those who are in Christ to their final and ultimate destiny; to be freed of sin and live in perfect community and love with Christ, whose image we reflect and is the “firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

The phrase, “Among many brothers and sisters,” is the plural Greek word, adelphoi. It also points to a communal future tied to our future with Christ. The collective gathering of all God’s children as brothers and sisters with Jesus Christ the firstborn— commonly called “heaven.”

Also notice the hopeful assurance of our conformity to Christ’s image—all the hopes and future aspirations to be the fullest version of God’s image are mercifully not based on any work of human doing but on God’s planning and work.

This does not negate the call to rightful action on the believer’s part but is rather an assurance that our ultimate transformation to the full image of Christ is not dependent on our work but will be achieved through Christ. Still, rooted within the concept of being conformed to the image of Christ is the parallel call to work toward the goal of sanctification now, even with the full awareness that our ultimate sanctification will not occur until heaven.

By Katie Frugé, director for the Center for Cultural Engagement and the Christian Life Commission of Texas Baptists.

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