God's Desire for Conformity to Christ in Believers
God's Desire for Conformity to Christ in Believers
God's ultimate desire for believers is that they be conformed to the image of Christ, a concept rooted in various biblical passages. The apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:29 that believers are "predestinated to be conformed to the image of his Son" [2]. This conformity is not limited to a specific aspect but encompasses the entirety of Christ's character, including his holiness, righteousness, and love [5].
The biblical basis for this doctrine is evident in several New Testament passages. Ephesians 4:13 speaks of believers growing "unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" [1]. This verse underscores the idea that conformity to Christ is a process that occurs throughout a believer's life. The apostle Paul's own testimony in Philippians 3:10 highlights his desire to "know him, and the power of his resurrection" and to be conformed to Christ's death, demonstrating the intimate connection between knowing Christ and being conformed to his image [8].
Theological traditions have long emphasized the importance of conformity to Christ. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, believers are "elected to holiness" and "called to" it, underscoring the divine initiative in the process of sanctification [3]. John Gill notes that believers are strengthened "according to the riches of his glory" to enable them to exercise grace and perform duties, highlighting the role of divine empowerment in conformity to Christ [9].
The love of God and Christ's example are central to this doctrine. Torrey's Topical Textbook cites Christ's love for believers as a motive for their love towards him, which is manifested in obedience and devotion [6]. The example of Christ is also seen as a standard for believers, with his character, humility, and obedience serving as a model for their own lives [5].
In the view of various Christian traditions, conformity to Christ is not merely a human endeavor but is facilitated by the work of the Holy Spirit. According to John Gill, the Spirit strengthens believers "in the inner man," enabling them to persevere and grow in their faith [9]. This understanding is echoed in the writings of Adam Clarke, who notes that Christ's design is for believers to "love and obey, persevere unto the end, and be eternally united to himself" [7].
The perseverance of believers is closely tied to their conformity to Christ. Easton's Bible Dictionary highlights the doctrine of the perseverance of the saints, citing passages such as John 10:28-29 and Romans 11:29 to demonstrate that believers will certainly continue in a state of grace and attain everlasting life [4].
Sources
- Ephesians “Ephesians 4:13 (KJV) — Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:”
- Romans “Romans 3:22 (Geneva1599) — To wit, the righteousnesse of God by the faith of Iesus Christ, vnto all, and vpon all that beleeue.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Perseverance of the saints — Their certain continuance in a state of grace. Once justified and regenerated, the believer can neither totally nor finally fall away from grace, but will certainly persevere therein and attain everlasting life. This doctrine is clearly taught in these passages, John 10:28, 29; Rom. 11:29; Phil. 1:6; 1 Pet. 1:5. It, moreover, follows from a consideration of (1) the immutability of the divine decrees (Jer. 31:3; Matt. 24:22-24; Acts 13:48; Rom. 8:30); (2) the provisions of the covenant of grace (Jer. 32:40; John 10:29; 17:2-6); (3) the ato”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Example of Christ, The — Is perfect -- Heb 7:26. Conformity to, required in Holiness. -- 1Pe 1:15,16; Ro 1:6. Righteousness. -- 1Jo 2:6. Purity. -- 1Jo 3:3. Love. -- Joh 13:34; Eph 5:2; 1Jo 3:16. Humility. -- Lu 22:27; Php 2:5,7. Meekness. -- Mt 11:29. Obedience. -- Joh 15:10. Self-denial. -- Mt 16:24; Ro 15:3. Ministering to others. -- Mt 20:28; Joh 13:14,15. Benevolence. -- Ac 20:35; 2Co 8:7,9. Forgiving injuries. -- Col 3:13. Overcoming the world. -- Joh 16:33; 1Jo 5:4. Being not of the world. -- Joh 17:16. Being guileless. -- 1Pe 2:21-22. Suffering wrongfully. --”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Love to Christ — Exhibited by God -- Mt 17:5; Joh 5:20. Exhibited by saints -- 1Pe 1:8. His personal excellence is deserving of -- Song 5:9-16. His love to us a motive to -- 2Co 5:14. Manifested in Seeking him. -- Song 3:2. Obeying him. -- Joh 14:15,21,23. Ministering to him. -- Mt 27:55; 25:40. Preferring him to all others. -- Mt 10:37. Taking up the cross for Him. -- Mt 10:38. A characteristic of saints -- Song 1:4. An evidence of adoption -- Joh 8:42. Should be Sincere. -- Eph 6:24. With the soul. -- Song 1:7. In proportion to our mercies. -- Lu 7:47. Supreme. -- ”
- John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on John 17:24: That they may behold my glory - That they may enjoy eternal felicity with me in thy kingdom. So the word is used, Joh 3:3; Mat 5:8. The design of Christ is, that all who believe should love and obey, persevere unto the end, and be eternally united to himself, and the ever blessed God, in the kingdom of glory.”
- Philippians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Philippians 3:10: That I may know him--experimentally. The aim of the "righteousness" just mentioned. This verse resumes, and more fully explains, "the excellency of the knowledge of Christ" (Phi 3:8). To know HIM is more than merely to know a doctrine about Him. Believers are brought not only to redemption, but to the Redeemer Himself. the power of his resurrection--assuring believers of their justification (Rom 4:25; Co1 15:17), and raising them up spiritually with Him, by virtue of their identification with Him in this, as in all the acts of His redeeming work”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 3:15: That he would grant you according to the riches of his glory,.... Or according to, and out of that rich, plenteous, and glorious fulness of grace and strength in Christ Jesus. To be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; this is the petition which the apostle puts up on his bended knees to the Father of Christ, that he would strengthen these saints, that so they might not faint at the tribulations which either he or they endured. Believers in Christ need fresh supplies of strength to enable them to exercise grace, to perform duties, to resist Sat”