Allowing your life to be chiseled into the exact image of Christ'

1
Engraving Your Character

• Allowing your life to be chiseled into the exact
  image of Christ.

2
Introduction

• Character building is likened unto a master wood
  carver.
• He takes a block of wood and carefully,
  meticulously, and diligently carves out all that
  is undesirable until he has the express image of
  what he envisioned.
• In like manner, if we are to build character in
  our lives we need to parent ourselves by way of
  exhortation to remove all that is undesirable and
  contrary to the will of God until we are molded
  into the express image of our Savior.

3
Introduction

• The term express image is the very word from
  which we get our word character today.
• Jesus as stated in Hebrews 13 is the express
  image or the exact representation or exact
  imprint of God (His nature, being, essence
  person).
• In other words, the life of Christ represents the
  exact character of God!
• In like fashion our walk in the Lord continues in
  such a manner as to create in our person the very
  express image of our Savior. Rom. 829

4
JesusThe Express Image of God

• The character as the fleshly mind sees.
• Man, often blinded by his fleshly mind, typically
  looks at things from a material perspective.
• Many have difficulty looking at the true
  essence of an individual.
• Even Gods people can lose perspective and look
  at others according to the fleshly mind.
• Some churches have set up (successful) business
  men as elders.
• Some churches have (hired?) professional speakers
  who happen to preach the gospel.

5
JesusThe Express Image of God

• When we compare the Bible to the true character
  of a person we often see flaws and sins.
• It doesnt take long at all to see that man is
  not perfect in his character that he desires to
  display. Psa. 141-3 Ecc. 720
• It is for this very reason we can see our need to
  be perfected by the grace of salvation extended
  to us by God. Rom. 724-81
• Rather than simply offering man salvation, God
  also sent His express image to earth that we
  could see what our character should look like.
  Heb. 11-5

6
JesusThe Express Image of God

• In contrast to man, when we compare the Bible to
  the life of Christ we are seeing the exact
  qualities of God!
• He is perfect in law keeping. Cp. Jn. 117-18
• He is perfect in relationship with others.
• In general His character was perfect in every
  realm of his life responsible, respectful,
  gracious, courageous, obedient, compassionate,
  merciful.

7
Conforming Our Lives to the Express Image of
Jesus Christ

• Because of the grace of God, we are now created
  in Christ Jesus, to be a work of God. Eph. 210
  (vs. 1-10)
• We need to by faith continuously chisel off
  the undesirable characteristics of the flesh so
  that what is left is the exact representation
  (Gr charakter) of Christ.
• It is a life-long process that is strenuous and
  painful, but the peaceful fruit of righteousness
  is realized. Cp. Heb. 1211
• NOTE When we fail to express the image of Christ
  our character looks ugly because we do not have
  the beauty of Christ in our lives (Let the
  Beauty of Jesus be Seen in You).

8
Conclusion

• While we may lack the character traits
  exemplified in Christ, our lives in Him are a
  continued work as we are molded into His image.
• God bless you to accept His creation through
  Jesus Christ to become His workmanship.