jerryaustin1
May 10, 2010
What is the relation between conformity to the image of Christ and sanctification?
What is the relation between conformity to the image of Christ and sanctification?
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. -Eph. 2:10
Christ does the work in us as we submit to Him. He will not work on a life that is not separated for His use (sanctified). A life that is separated for His use (sanctified) will continue to submit as He leads, trains and works on that life. If we fail to submit, he will chastise (Hebrews ch. 12) until we see our error. The more readily we submit to His working in our lives, the mure useful in good works we become.
A child that's been playing cars all his life finally reaches the place where he is separated from playing to the real thing. A Drivers Education instructor will not waste time with a student that is still playing behind the wheel, nor will he risk his life with such a student. Until we are totally separated for His use, we cannot begin to be conformed to His image. As we are conformed, we never go back to the mistakes that we were making when we were learning. We handle our calling with the highest of care and respect.
2 Cor 3:18What is the relation between conformity to the image of Christ and sanctification?
Here is a variation in this verse, from William Tyndale's 1534 New Testament:
18 But we all beholde the glorye of the Lorde with his face open and are chaunged vnto the same similitude from glory to glory even of the sprite of the Lorde.
And now the Lordi's glory appeareth in us all, as in a glass: and we are changed unto the same similitude, from glory to glory, even of the Lord which is a spirit. (1526)
It has been mooted on SI previously, that 'sanctification' is not the best word to describe the process of being made more like Christ - that 'glorification' would be more accurate, in light of Paul's exposition in 2 Cor 3. While we may wish to shy away from such a claim, we cannot get away from the appearance of Christ in Rev 1.
This would bear out the idea that there was a change in the physical appearance of Adam because of the Fall - that the glory implicit in having been created in the image of God, was forced to depart upon the entrance of sin. It is only reasonable if we believe God is now able to abide in us, and us in Him, to expect at least some glory to return, and be visibly appreciable to those who observe us.
Sanctification is the crisis, being conformed into his image is the consequent process.
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