“And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image”. 2nd Corinthians 3:18(b) NLT.

We discussed yesterday, a person who accepted Christ as the savior goes to heaven to the presence of the Lord at the time of his death. Moreover, he or she will get glorified and brand new body with no disabilities or weaknesses at the time of rapture when the Lord Jesus descends to the clouds with a shout, voice of the archangel, and the trumpet of the Lord.

Moreover, our today’s insight says the Lord makes us more and more like him as we live here on this earth by transforming into his glorious image. This process of ongoing transformation into Christ’s image is called sanctification. Every child of God who truly accepted Jesus as the savior has the privilege of this glorious transformation as they live here on this side of eternity.  Romans 8:28-29 says, God calls people to His Son, Jesus Christ according to His purpose, and God foreknew and predestined them to become conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Chapter 8 of the book of Romans highlights the works of the Holy Spirit of God in your life to make you conformed to the image of Christ.

Beloved, you cannot become like Christ or even produce Christ-like character by your self-efforts, disciplines, or hard works. You can make all resolutions, determination with all perfect and best intentions in your heart. However, none of these are good enough in themselves to develop Christ-likeness in you.  It is God and His Spirit, who enables you in your sanctification process to become more and more like Christ.

Bible says in Philippians 2:13, “ For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Did you listen to what it says?  God is working in you. Secondly, it is the God who gives you the desire and the needed power to do what pleases Him. Man’s salvation, sanctification, and glorification all are the works of God. Self-efforts achieve none of these.

Now, of course, God’s sovereignty and human responsibility go hand in hand. I do not know how to explain how both work together to achieve God’s good and divine purposes. However, the Bible says it is essential to submit to the Lord, yield to the Holy Spirit of God, walk by the Spirit. Your transformation process begins with your acceptance of Jesus as your savior and Lord. Without Jesus in your life, you would not get transformed into His image. Secondly, as you pray, study the word of God (the Bible), yield your decision and choices in obedience to the word of God to the best of your ability with all your weaknesses and failures, the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit of God, the Christ-like transformation is produced in you by the work of the God and His Spirit. It is so amazing that even the desire and the power to do what pleases God is granted by God Himself.

Over the years, was  any Crist like transformation happened even in a small way? Check it out. Compare today with ten years back. Did any Christ-like fruit develop in you? If Christ-like images occurred in you, even in a small dose, it is because God gave you the desire and the needed power for it. Praise and thank God for his supernatural work in your life.  Remember, the Lord makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image day by day.

“Father in heaven, I understand no matter what happens in this world, my future is safe and secure in Jesus Christ, my savior. Thank you for granting me salvation and eternal life in heaven with you. I believe Jesus died, buried, and rose again for all of my sins and shortcomings. Not only is my future safe, but also, your Holy Spirit works in me to make me look more like Jesus Christ. Please conform me to his image and use me for your name and glory. In Christ’s name, I pray, Amen.”