1. Paul understood this. Consider something he wrote to the church at Philippi while in jailed in Rome
(AD 60-63). At the time he wrote he didn’t know if he would see them again in this life because he
was facing possible execution. In that context Paul made this statement:
a. Phil 3:10,11–[For my determined purpose is] that I may know Himthat I may progressively
become more deeply acquainted with Him…and that I may in the same way come to know the
power outflowing from His resurrection [which it exerts over believers]; and that I may so share
His sufferings as to be continually transformed [in spirit into His likeness even] to His death, [in
the hope] that if possible I may attain to the [spiritual and moral] resurrection [that lifts me] out
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from among the dead [even while in the body]. (Amp)
b. There’s a lot in his statement (more than we can address in one lesson). Certainly, he’s expressing
the hope that as he faced possible death by execution, he had the certainty that if killed, his body
would be raised up by the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. But there’s more to it.
Paul wanted to see resurrection power working in him while he was alive.
1. Then he made it clear that his greatest aim was to be completely conformed to the image of
Christ. He hadn’t attained it yet. But he pressed on for all he could get in this life.
2. v12–He wanted to apprehend or lay hold of that for which he had been apprehended. We’ve
been laid hold of by God to become sons and daughters conformed to the image of Christ.
A. v13–Paul said: I forget what is behind. He’s referring to his previous religious ideas
as a Pharisee and to his persecution of believers (v4-7).
B. v14–And he pressed toward the prize of the high calling of God in Christ (sonship and
conformity). The word translated pressed means to pursue and, by implication, to
persecute. Paul used this same word in v6 (persecuting) and v12 (follow after).
3. With the same zeal he pursued believers before his conversion, he pursued conformity to the
image of Christwhich he knew would be accomplished in him by resurrection power. This
is the starting place for experiencing resurrection power in this life. We must hunger for it.
2. This was Paul’s passion for those he led to Christthat they’d be conformed to the image of Christ.
a. Gal 4:19–When this group of churches in the province of Galatia were affected by error (the idea
that circumcision was necessary to maintain salvation) he wrote to them that he was laboring over
them again in prayer: Until you take the shape of Christ (NEB); Until Christ is completely and
permanently formed (molded) within you (Amp).
b. Eph 4:13–Paul wrote that this is why God gifts people (like himself) to proclaim the gospel and
teach men the scriptures: that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood  the completeness of
personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ’s own perfection  the
measure of the stature of the fullness of the Christ, and the completeness found in Him. (Amp)
c. Col 1:28–Paul said that he poured his life out to reach men and women: That we (I) may present
every person maturefull-grown, fully initiated, complete and perfect  in Christ, the Anointed
One. (Amp)
3. Conformity to the image of Christ (or being made like Jesus in character and power, holiness and love)
is a process that begins when we’re born of the Spirit and will be completed in connection with the
return of Jesus. Each point below is a topic for an entire lesson. But consider these brief thoughts.
a. When we believe on Jesus the Holy Spirit regenerates our dead human spirit and we are born of
God. Our inner being (our spirit) is glorified or conformed to the image of Christ and we become
new creatures through union with Christ. This inward transformation becomes the basis of our
identity: We’re sons of God and He is our Father. Rom 8:30; II Cor 5:17,18; I John 4:17
b. When Jesus comes again the bodies of all who believe on Him will be glorified (or made like His
resurrected body) by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our bodies will be made incorruptible and
immortal (permanently beyond the touch of corruption and death). Phil 3:20,21; I Cor 15:51-53;
I Thess 4:13-18
c. Now, in this life, our thoughts, emotions, words, and actions are supposed to become increasingly
Christ-like as we take on outwardly the effect of the inward change. This is an oncoming process.
1. This ongoing transformation is accomplished in us by the Spirit of God together with the
Word of God. II Cor 3:18–And all of us, as with unveiled faces [because we] continue to
behold [in the Word of God] as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are constantly being
transfigured into His very own image in ever increasing splendor and from one degree of glory
to another; [for this comes] from the Lord [ Who is] the Spirit. (Amp)
2. How much transformation takes place in this life depends in large part on how much we
cooperate with the Holy Spirit.
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4. Eph 6:17–Paul referred to the Word of God as the specific instrument used by the Holy Spirit. The
Holy Spirit, through the Bible, builds us up into the image of Christ in our mind, emotions, and body.
a. The Holy Spirit, through the written Word of God, reveals the Living Word of God, Jesus, to us.
He gives us understanding of what we read. The Holy Spirit guides us into all truth. God’s Word
is truth. John 16:13,14; John 17:17
1. The Word of God functions as a mirror. It shows us the inward changes that have already
occurred because we’re born of God. And it shows us what we’re supposed to be and what
we’re becoming, with specific instructions on how to behave.
2. Then we, by the power of the Spirit of God in us bring an end to unChristlike thoughts, words,
and actions. Rom 8:13
3. This is natural (or created) human ability infused with supernatural (or uncreated) power. We
exercise our will and take appropriate actions to put into practice what we read (natural) and
the Holy Spirit in us provides the power (supernatural).
b. Obviously, all that we’re saying presumes that you understand your number one responsibility as a
son or daughter of God is to becoming increasingly Christlike. It presumes that you’re re looking
into the mirror of the Word on a regular basis. And, it presumes that you, like Paul, are pressing
toward the mark of the prize of the high calling of God.
5. Eph 6:18–After Paul pointed out that the Word of God is the Holy Spirit’s particular instrument, he
instructed believers to pray in the Spirit.
a. We’ve discussed in previous lessons that when Paul used the phrase “praying in the Spirit” he
meant praying in other tongues (I Cor 14:14,15). We’ve also discussed the fact that praying in
other tongues edifies us or helps build us up into the image of Christ (I Cor 14:4).
b. Space doesn’t permit a repeat of all that we’ve already said. But consider this point. All of us
have issues in our soul (character issues) that are unChristlike.
1. We’re well aware of some of them. But others, we don’t even see. When they’re pointed out
we defend them because we believe we have good reasons for our thoughts and actions.
2. Matt 26:31-35–Remember Peter? He had some big character flaws–pride and lack of
commitment when things got rough. Jesus revealed it to him, but Peter vigorously rejected
His insight.
A. Rom 8:26–The Holy Spirit is in us to help us to pray about these infirmities. When we
pray in tongues we’re praying in a language we don’t understand. We do the speaking
(natural) but the Holy Spirit in our spirit is the source of the words (supernatural).
B. He helps us pray effective prayers regarding our unChristlike traits. He is able to help us
pray about issues we don’t see and issues we would argue with God about as did Peter.
c. We’ve stated this point in a previous lesson. But it bears repeating. Some say tongues ceased
when the last apostle died. However, the Bible says nothing like that. And, the need for
conformity to the image of Christ has not come to an end. Praying in other tongues will come to
an end when God’s plan of redemption is completed and we are all fully conformed to the image
of Christ. I Cor 13:8-13