The Image of Jesus Christ: Proof Positive of the Christian Life
Lesson 3 -- New Life in Jesus Christ
(Bite-Sized Bible Course)

If we follow Jesus in faith, who are we? I mean, saved by Him, justified in Him, sanctified to Him and placed in Him. What comes next? The answer is simple. Be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ, God's Son.

But what does that mean? The phrase "the image of Christ" seems as strange as saying we are "in Christ." What's the significance of being made in "the image of Jesus Christ"?

That's what we'll look at in Lesson 3 of our study, New Life in Jesus Christ. We'll pin down who we are, what we are called to and what we should look like. Let's get into the lesson.

The Image of Jesus Christ

As we finish our discussion about new life in Jesus Christ, we need to understand something first. It's not just about getting a fresh start. It's about God reshaping broken people into the likeness of His Son (Romans 8:29). This is what we call being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.

God never meant for us to squeak into heaven. His goal is that a vast family of rescued people will one day look like Jesus. Salvation is also about our growing in character, love, and glory.

In other words, we should look more and more like Jesus every day.

From the moment God's power unites us to Christ by faith, God begins this work. We put on the new self, and that new self finds its fullest expression in becoming more like our Creator (Colossians 3:10).

This isn't self-improvement with a religious flavor. The Holy Spirit steadily renovates us from the inside out. Over time, the family likeness of Jesus becomes increasingly visible.

Christ, the True Image

The Bible calls Jesus “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15). What does that mean? He's the exact expression of God Himself. God is Spirit, invisible (John 4:24). Jesus represents God plainly, being God Himself (Hebrews 1:1–3).

When we look at Christ in the pages of Scripture, we see what God is like in human form. We observe:

• His compassion.
• His purity.
• His joy.
• His courage.
• His perfect obedience.

There is nothing crooked, dark, or twisted in Him. Every thought, every word, every action of Jesus displays the beauty of God’s holy love.

This is why the Father has set His purpose to conform believers “to the image of His Son” (Romans 8:29). God is not guessing or experimenting with your life. He already has a perfect pattern before Him. His own Son sets the standard.

The Bible calls Jesus our "firstborn" older sibling (Romans 8:29). That means God will gather together as family all who have been remade to share Christ's likeness.

Seeing Christ to Become Like Christ

In our daily lives, we see Jesus. We see Him in God's Word. We see Him lived out by those mature in the faith. As we see that glory presented, the Bible says that God transforms us into the image of His Son (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The more we gaze at Christ, the more the Spirit quietly goes to work in us. Over time, the Jesus we admire in the Gospels becomes the Jesus whose character is reflected in our own lives.

This helps explain why regular exposure to God’s Word, prayer, and worship is so vital. What we look at becomes a part of us. Our attention is drawn to Christ, again and again. The Spirit uses that steady gaze to imprint His image more deeply on our hearts.

God’s Pattern for the New Life

God doesn't work randomly in our lives. He already has a clear pattern in view. His own Son presents the mold we need (Romans 1:1-2).

When He gives new life, He isn't simply wiping our record clean. He's beginning a lifelong work of reshaping us. Our thoughts, desires, and choices slowly begin to resemble those of Jesus.

We aren't trying to become a slightly nicer version of ourselves. We're learning to live out the reality of new life in Christ. That new life includes being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.

God helps us see Christ more clearly. The more we do, the more we become like His Son.

A Lifelong Transformation

If we already belong to Christ, this has already started. At times, we may feel painfully aware of how far we still have to go. Other times may seem like we're just sailing along.

Remember, we're being transformed daily into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18). The change may be slow and often hidden. It's real, regardless.

We're like a wood project. God works to make us just right. The Spirit uses the Word, prayer, worship, service, and even trials to sand away the old life. At the end, we look like Jesus.

This means ordinary days matter. In every situation of life, the Spirit teaches us to put off the old self and put on the new (Colossians 3:9–10). We're not stuck with who we are now. In Christ, we're a new creation, and God is committed to finishing what He started (Philippians 1:6).

Conformed to His Image in Glory

There's also a future side to this image language that fills the Christian with hope. One day, the process will be complete. Scripture says that when Christ appears, we'll be like Him because we will see Him accurately (1 John 3:2).

The work that began when we first trusted Jesus will reach its final stage when we see your Savior. No more sin. No more divided heart. No more shame. Just pure, joyful likeness to Christ.

It all fits into God's will perfectly. As we're conformed to His Son’s image, He completes the process in us (Romans 8:29–30).

In other words, the God who set His love on us and forgave us in Christ won't stop until He finishes. Our future isn't uncertain or precarious. It's anchored in His decision to make us like Jesus forever.

Living Today in Light of Tomorrow

So let's talk about you for a moment. Where are you in all this?

If God’s goal is to conform you to Christ’s image, that gives shape to how you live right now. Don't just ask, “What will make me most comfortable?" Instead, ask, “What will make me more like Jesus?”

This kind of success isn't measured by achievements or possessions. It's measured by whether your life is slowly taking on the character of your Savior.

• His humility.
• His patience.
• His mercy.
• His obedience.

This hope doesn't make you passive. It stirs the pursuit of holiness because you know where your story is headed (1 John 3:2–3). Suffering becomes God’s tool for shaping you into Christ’s likeness (Romans 8:17–18, Romans 8:28–29).

And when you grow discouraged by your failures, you lift your eyes again to Jesus. He's the gracious, merciful standard, as well as the perfect image of God. In that moment when you grasp that truth, you can trust that one day you will be perfectly like Him in glory.

As will all who believe in the precious sacrifice of Jesus Christ. God bless.

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