Into His Likeness

There is a progression of spiritual principles that must be understood in order for the believer to be transformed into having a mind that is controlled by the word of God instead of his old sin nature. “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). The unsaved man has no option. The saved man has been united with Jesus Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection (2). The believer’s union with Christ’s death renders his old sin nature dead to sin. Practically speaking, this means that the old sin nature, reckoned dead with Christ, is made ineffective and inactive for evil. It is freed from the law of sin. Therefore, the body is no longer in bondage to yield to the cravings, lusts, and evil passions of the flesh (3).

Freed from the law of sin through the principle of co-crucifixion, we are then able to share in the resurrection life of Christ. Our freedom from the power of sin enables us to become a servant of righteousness, and live a life that is in conformity with the eternal plan of God in every thought, purpose, and action. This transformation of the human will takes place as we inwardly share the image or likeness of Jesus Christ.

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