For us to become a Christian is not the final goal of the Lord. To become a believer is the starting point, where we begin our journey to know Christ. The end product is to be conformed to the image of God's dear Son. The Apostle Paul makes this known in the Book of Romans.
Romans 8:29 &30 For whom he foreknew, he also foreordained to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren: 30 and whom he foreordained, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.
Yes, God foreknew a people. But the people he foreknew was a people in Christ. This is what is meant by "Jacob have I loved and Esau have I hated." Jacob represented the holy SEED of God. The Holy SEED of God was revealed as the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. We are chosen in Him to bring forth fruit unto God. It is in Christ where God has his choosing not in the man of flesh, but in the Seed of Spirit who is Christ.
And in this SEED, God is after the image of Himself. Jesus was God manifest in the earth. He was also said to be the express image of the Father. This image was more than his physical characteristics. In fact, Isaiah declared in Isaiah 53 there was no special beauty of Christ that we would desire. When Peter declared Jesus to be the Christ, Jesus said "flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father which is in heaven." It was revealed unto Peter by the Spirit. This was a foreshadow of what God was to do in us.
God reveals Christ in us to transform us to the image of His Son. By the heart seeing Jesus we are changed into the same image He is. What happens is a new nature is formed within. This new nature that is within us is to be manifested without, or in the earth through our flesh. This is what was meant by God being manifest in the flesh. God's divine nature was seen in the earth in Jesus Christ. It is the heart of the Father that all men come to Him, and this image be made known.
Blessings and enjoy Pastor Henry Stanley.
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