As He Is, So Are We
As this year closes, here’s a statement to meditate on as we move into the New Year:
“As He is, so are we in this world.” (1 John 4:17)
Not in the age to come.
Not when we die and go to heaven.
In this world—right now.
3 Reflections
Jesus is our pattern. Scripture doesn’t say we’re white-knuckling our way through life until one day death sets us free and we step into glory. It says we are the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). It says as Jesus is, so are we…IN THIS WORLD (1 John 4:17). It says we are predestined to be conformed to His image (Romans 8:29). The resurrected, enthroned Son of God isn’t merely the Savior we worship; He is the One we are being formed into.
Transformation may be progressive, but it is still our present reality. Paul says we are being changed from one measure of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18). Day by day, degree by degree, the inner man is being renewed. This isn’t spiritual language the Bible casually throws around. We are actually being reformed to look more and more like Jesus…and less and less like Adam.
Salvation isn’t just about destination—it’s about representation.
The world is meant to learn what God is like by watching His people, image bearers who demonstrate the power of the cross to restore the image of God in them. Because the Church exists, heaven has a visible expression on earth. When our neighbors ask, “What is God like?” our lives are meant to be part of the answer.
“The world does not read the Bible—it reads Christians. And whether we like it or not, we are telling the world what God is like.” - Leonard Ravenhill
2 Scriptures
“For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”
— Romans 8:29
“And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.”
— 2 Corinthians 3:18
1 Action
Ask yourself: What version of Christ did my life represent this year?
Then refuse to carry forward anything that misrepresents Him. Step into the new year attentive to what Christ wants to express through you, not just what you want to accomplish. What you consistently behold is what you become. Choose practices that shape your inner life toward Christ, not away from Him.
Happy New Year,
NEIL
