The Bible speaks the goal of the Christian life. 2 Corinthians 3:18 says that “we are being transformed into [Christ’s] likeness” Romans 8:29 God “predestined [all believers] to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.” Bridges says, “Christlikeness is God’s goal for all who trust in Christ, and that should be our goal also.”
Both words, transformed and conformed, have a common root, form, meaning a pattern or a mold. “Being transformed” refers to the process; conformed refers to the finished product. Jesus is our pattern or mold. We are being transformed so that we will eventually be conformed to the likeness of Jesus. Sanctification or holiness then, is conformity to the likeness of Jesus Christ.(a topic for an other day),
How can we know whether we are being transformed more and more into the likeness of Christ? Begin with studying the character of Jesus and you will come to full realization as to whether this is a reality for you.
We need to understand that “the cleansing of our consciences from the guilt of sin must precede our efforts to deal with the presence of sin in our daily lives. And so we need the gospel to continually remind us that our sins have been forgiven in Christ and that we relate to the Lord through grace rather than law.
Our specific responsibility in the pursuit of holiness as seen in 2 Corinthians 3:18, to behold the glory of the Lord as it is displayed in the gospel. The gospel is the ‘mirror’ through which we now behold His beauty.” And, therefore, until we see him face-to-face, we need to continually preach that gospel to ourselves every day.