Conforming to Christ's Image in Christian Sanctification
Conforming to Christ's image is a central aspect of Christian sanctification, a process by which believers are made holy and set apart for God's service. The concept is rooted in biblical teachings, with passages like Romans 6:13 and 2 Corinthians 4:6 highlighting the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers [1].
The idea of conformity to Christ's image involves adopting His character and likeness. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists various aspects of Christ's character that believers are called to emulate, including holiness, righteousness, purity, love, humility, meekness, obedience, self-denial, and forgiveness [2]. This conformity is not merely a moral reformation but a deep-seated transformation that affects the whole person.
In Ephesians 4:13, the goal of Christian maturity is described as attaining "to the measure of stature of the fulness of the Christ" [3]. This suggests that the process of sanctification is directed towards Christlikeness. The work of sanctification is attributed to the Holy Spirit, who enables believers to put on the character of Christ. As Adam Clarke notes on Galatians 3:27, being "baptized into Christ" means assuming His character and being bound to act as He did [5].
The role of Christ in sanctification is also significant. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 17:19, Christ consecrates Himself for the sake of believers, that they may be consecrated as well. This self-consecration is seen as a model for the disciples, who are to follow in Christ's footsteps [6].
Different Christian traditions understand the process of sanctification in various ways. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John Chrysostom, emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in sanctification, highlighting that believers are made holy through the loving-kindness of God [8]. The Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as seen in Adam Clarke's commentary, stresses the importance of personal holiness and the need for believers to draw near to God through faith and prayer [7].
The biblical basis for sanctification is found in various passages, including 1 Peter 3:15, where believers are exhorted to "sanctify Christ as Lord" in their hearts. This involves honoring Christ as holy and making Him the center of their lives [4].
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- 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. --”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 4:13 (YLT) — till we may all come to the unity of the faith and of the recognition of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to a measure of stature of the fulness of the Christ,”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 3:15: sanctify--hallow; honor as holy, enshrining Him in your hearts. So in the Lord's Prayer, Mat 6:9. God's holiness is thus glorified in our hearts as the dwelling-place of His Spirit. the Lord God--The oldest manuscripts read "Christ." Translate, "Sanctify Christ as Lord." and--Greek, "but," or "moreover." Besides this inward sanctification of God in the heart, be also ready always to give, &c. answer--an apologetic answer defending your faith. to every man that asketh you--The last words limit the universality of the "always"; not to a roller, ”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 3:27: As many of you as have been baptized into Christ - All of you who have believed in Christ as the promised Messiah, and received baptism as a public proof that ye had received Christ as your Lord and Savior, have put on Christ - have received his Spirit, and entered into his interests, and copied his manners. To put on, or to be clothed with one, is to assume the person and character of that one; and they who do so are bound to act his part, and to sustain the character which they have assumed. The profession of Christianity is an assumption of the character of Ch”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 17:19: And for their sakes I sanctify--consecrate. myself that they also might--may. be sanctified--consecrated. The only difference between the application of the same term to Christ and the disciples is, as applied to Christ, that it means only to "consecrate"; whereas, in application to the disciples, it means to consecrate with the additional idea of previous sanctification, since nothing but what is holy can be presented as an offering. The whole self-sacrificing work of the disciples appears here as a mere result of the offering of Christ [OLSHAUSEN]”
- James (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on James 4:8: Draw nigh to God - Approach Him, in the name of Jesus, by faith and prayer, and he will draw nigh to you - he will meet you at your coming. When a soul sets out to seek God, God sets out to meet that soul; so that while we are drawing near to him, he is drawing near to us. The delicacy and beauty of these expressions are, I think, but seldom noted. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners - This I think to be the beginning of a new address, and to different persons; and should have formed the commencement of a new verse. Let your whole conduct be changed; cease to do evil learn”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: names of men he findeth no place for. But what is Sanctification? The Laver, the Purification. For he reminds them of their own uncleanness, from which he had freed them; and so persuades them to lowliness of mind; for not by their own good deeds, but by the loving-kindness of God, had they been sanctified. “Called to be Saints.” For even this, to be saved by faith, is not saith he, of yourselves; for ye did not first draw near, but were called; so that not even this small matter is yours altogether. However, though you had drawn near, accountabl”