2 Corinthians 3:12-18 – Being Transformed Into The Same Image
God’s work is not finished with our justification, but it also includes our sanctification. We are drawn behind the veil and transformed by the Spirit of the Lord. It is the work of God that does both of these things. Sanctification is a continuation or a further application of that complete work of atonement or salvation being applied in our lives. Justification is the declaration of our being right with God, not because of something that we have done. We are separated because of our sin. But God justifies us in Jesus Christ. The Righteous One has lived for us and has died for us so that the veil is taken away. God also works to sanctify you, transforming you into His image.
What is this transformation? What is it that God does in us? God said that He made mankind after His own image. When Paul says that we are being transformed into the image of God, he grabs hold of that Biblical teaching of what mankind is supposed to be like by creation and then by redemption. God made man morally perfect – that means he was without sin. He existed in the Garden of Eden walking and talking with God face to face. Sin broke the image of God, and brought shame and judgment into the relationship. In God’s grace though, He promised a Redeemer. We are restored to that fellowship with God through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. There is a process of transformation that’s taking place. It’s a process that is described elsewhere as dying more and more to sin and living more and more to Christ. It’s described as the putting off of the old man and putting on the new. Throughout the New Testament, that work of the Holy Spirit is described as a war, a difficult and relentless task that we are called to be engaged in. It is a victory that is progressive in this life and that will be complete in glory. Resting on the love of God who redeems us and knowing that we are not saved by our own works, we fight daily the temptations that surround us, that entangle us. We fight those temptations because God has equipped us to do so, knowing that a child of God is not under the dominion of sin, but is instead a follower of His. We are set free from that power of sin and are being transformed. We don’t lose hope in that battle. knowing that in this life we will not be perfect. We will see progress in our lives. So we don’t lose hope knowing that God is at work in us.
Question
- How does the Holy Spirit transform us?
Prayer Points
- Pray for the preaching and hearing of God’s Word tomorrow.
- Use prayer points from your congregation.
- Pray for family matters.