Into His Image

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

The work of sanctification in our lives as believers in Christ is ongoing, never-ending until we are with Him for eternity in Heaven. God through the Holy Spirit is working to transform our minds, our method of living, our everyday choices, to reflect our identity as His child. 

"What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it? Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. For one who has died has been set free from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him. For the death he died he died to sin, once for all, but the life he lives he lives to God. So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ  Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace." Romans 6:1-14

Justification is our reality when we accept God's gift of Salvation, but sanctification is a life-long process requiring our participation. Philippians 2:12-13 says, "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." God has given us all the tools we need to become more like His Son. 

The Holy Spirit lives in us and works in our lives to sanctify us. As we yield to Him, He will produce godly qualities in our life. "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16). He delivers us from sin's control in our hearts and makes us pure so we desire to do good. 

"For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldy passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. Waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works." Titus 2:11-14

He transforms us. He changes us into His image - so we are able to accomplish His will and fulfill our God-ordained purpose.