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Impressed With Christ - The "Image" Factor


Impress is to affect deeply or strongly. Another aspect of it is to press into something or to make an imprint.

Coins are an example of something that is pressed into.  The heated soft metals of the coin are stamped, under pressure, with a die and the imprint is left on the coin.  The result is the likeness or image of former presidents being stamped or pressed onto the coin.

In the book of Colossians, we find at least two aspects of the image of one being pressed onto another:
           
The image of God on Christ:

Ø  He is the image of the invisible God (1:15)

Ø  All the fullness of God dwells in Him (1:19)

Ø  The fullness of Deity dwells in (Christ) in bodily form (2:9)
           
The image of Christ on us:

Ø  We are blameless and beyond reproach (1:22)

Ø  Christ in you, the hope of glory (1:27)

Ø  In Him we are made complete (2:10)

Ø  We are buried with Him in baptism and raised up with Him (2:12)

Ø  We are made alive together with Him (2:13)

Ø  We have died and our lives are hidden with Christ in God (3:3)


Christ imprinted on us?  You bet!  His image has been indelibly cast on us.  In fact, when the Father looks at us, He sees the image of His Son upon us!  Now that’s impressive!
           

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