The Good Shepherdনমুনা

When Jesus returns, the world will finally be free from evil and suffering. The King will judge between all nations, like a shepherd judging between sheep and goats. Some will be welcomed into the eternal life that he prepared for them from the foundation of the world, and others sent away to the eternal punishment prepared for Satan.

Humanity's purpose is to enjoy eternal life with God, but it is also to be the image of God. It’s a whole package deal. We can’t try to get heaven without being restored as the image of God. If we forsake the image of God, we forsake heaven and we unite ourselves with Satan, becoming like the seed of the Snake and following him into his eternal curse.

We have all forsaken the image of God. Like the kings in Ezekiel 34, we’ve overlooked the sick, the weak, the injured, the lost. We’ve cared for ourselves and ignored the needs of others - a visible sign of the invisible sin of turning our back on God.

But Jesus has made a way for the image of God to be restored in us. We no longer need to allow the powers of the world to conform us to their ugly image - we can be made new! We can be a new creation. Let the old die, crucified with Christ, and put on the new life which is being restored to the image of your Creator! Be conformed to the likeness of the Son instead of the likeness of the snake.

Jesus offers us the Holy Spirit to come and live within us, teaching our hearts to love God, and growing godliness in us. He is freeing us from the old way that Jesus will condemn when he returns, and remaking us in the new way that Jesus will bless when he returns.

Can you see the work of the Spirit in your life, making you like Christ and causing you to fulfil what you were created for? How is love for God and neighbour being made visible in your life? If you are afraid you lack any fruit of the Spirit - remember He is offered freely to whoever will ask. Ask, and receive.

Lord Jesus, thank you for your future return to free the world from evil. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of eternal life. Thank you for the ways he is conforming me to your likeness. Make me more like you, Lord.

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