Go! And… Live A Jesus-Shaped Life - Romans 8:29 Series

Go! And… Live a Jesus-Shaped Life - Romans 8:29

Romans 8:29 (NLT): “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

Introduction:

Let me ask you a simple but profound question: What shape is your life taking? Is it shaped by the culture around you? Is it shaped by your career, your comfort, or your convenience? Or is it shaped by Christ?

Today, we continue our “Go! And…” series with a vital message: Go! And Live a Jesus-Shaped Life.

This message is not about superficial behaviour modification. It’s not about acting religious or trying harder. It’s about transformation — a supernatural reshaping of your life to reflect the beauty, character, and glory of Jesus Christ. Not shaped by religion but by a Redeemer. Not shaped by pressure but by presence — the presence of Christ in us.

1. God’s Purpose: Shaped to Reflect Jesus

Romans 8:29 (NLT): “For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son…”

Paul writes this to Roman believers, many of whom were suffering persecution. The encouragement? God is sovereign, and He is shaping their lives with purpose. The word translated “to become like” is the Greek “symmorphos”, meaning “having the same form as.” We are predestined to be conformed to the image of Jesus — not to imitate Him poorly, but to be remade in His likeness through the Spirit.

This verse is part of the great golden chain of redemption — foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification. The ultimate purpose? Christlikeness.

A Jesus-shaped life is God’s will for you. Not simply salvation from hell, but transformation into Christlikeness. It affects your character, your conduct, and your calling.

John Piper said, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”

Beloved, the more we become like Christ, the more we find true satisfaction — because He is the shape we were meant to take.

2. Jesus’ Invitation: Follow Me

Matthew 16:24–25 (NLT): “Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it.’”

Jesus speaks these words after predicting His death. The word “follow” is the Greek “akoloutheo,” meaning to walk in step with someone, to accompany. It’s a call not to admire Jesus from afar but to walk the road of sacrifice with Him.

A Jesus-shaped life is not self-centred — it’s cross-centred. It’s about surrender, not control. Jesus doesn’t just tweak our schedule or improve our mood; He demands our life.

Imagine a potter shaping clay. If the clay resists the wheel, it becomes misshapen. But if it yields, the potter forms something beautiful. Are you yielding to the Potter’s hand, or resisting?

Max Lucado: “God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus.”

Church, the cross is not a burden — it’s a bridge to the life God intends for you.

3. Christ’s Character: The Fruit of a Jesus-Shaped Life

Galatians 5:22–23 (NLT): “But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…”

The word “fruit” here is “karpos” in Greek, meaning the natural result of something that is alive and healthy. This is not a “to-do” list; it’s a “will-grow” list in the life of a Jesus-shaped believer.

This fruit is not self-manufactured. It’s the outgrowth of abiding in Christ (John 15:5). We don’t strain to bear fruit — we stay connected to the Vine.

Application:

Your character is your witness. Are you bearing the fruit of Christ or the thorns of the flesh? A Jesus-shaped life is Spirit-filled, not self-fuelled.

R.T. Kendall said, “The greatest proof of being Spirit-filled is not speaking in tongues; it is being loving, joyful, peaceful, and so on.”

Friends, don’t measure spiritual maturity by noise, but by fruit.

4. The Power to Change: Christ in You

Colossians 1:27 (NLT): “And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.”

Paul is revealing the “mystery” now made known: not a distant deity but an indwelling Saviour. The Greek “Christos en hymin” means literally “Christ within you.” This is the heart of the Jesus-shaped life — His presence in you.

You’re not alone in this transformation. It’s not willpower; it’s His power. Jesus doesn’t merely give you a model to follow, He gives you His very life to live through you.