Growing into the Image of Christ

Genesis 16 and 17, II Timothy 1:7 – 9

In Genesis Chapter 16, Sarai said that God and prevented her from bearing children. Yet, God had told Abraham that he would be the father of a great nation. Is this a contradiction in Scripture, or was there another way for Abraham to be the father of a innumerable number of people? Abraham was human, Sarai was human and after years of waiting, they sought, like humans will do, to help God fulfill his plan. We forget that God’s power is not dependent on human ability, but on human availability.  We have to give up on the idea that “I can” and become dependent on “He will.” In this study, we have the examples of Abraham and Sarai as they stumble in their own efforts to bring about God’s plan.

God’s Plan

This is not a contradiction in Scripture, but rather a reflection of Sarai’s impatience and lack of faith in God’s promise. God had told Abram that he would be the father of a great nation, but he did not specify that Sarai would be the mother of that nation. In fact, later in Genesis 17:15-16, God reveals that Sarai will indeed bear a son for Abram, and that she will be the mother of nations and kings. However, at this point in Genesis 16, Sarai had waited for many years without conceiving a child, and she assumed that God had closed her womb. She also thought that by giving her maid Hagar to Abram as a surrogate mother, she could fulfill God’s promise in her own way. This was a common practice in the ancient Near East, but it was not God’s will for Abram and Sarai. ¹^, ²

There was another way for Abram to be the father of a multitude of people, and that was by faith in God’s word. In Romans 4:13-18, the apostle Paul explains that Abram’s offspring are not only his physical descendants, but also those who share his faith in God’s promises. Paul says that Abram is the father of us all who believe in God who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did. Therefore, Abram’s true children are not those who are born according to the flesh, but those who are born according to the Spirit. ³

Man’s Alternative Plan

Abraham and Sarai decided that Hagar, the house maid, might serve as the mother of Abraham’s children because they were impatient and doubtful of God’s promise to give them a son. This was not God’s plan for a great nation, but rather a human attempt to fulfill God’s promise in their own way. God’s plan was to give Abraham and Sarah a son of their own, Isaac, who would be the heir of the covenant and the ancestor of Israel. ^4, 5

Hagar was not an obstacle to God’s plan, but rather a part of it. God cared for Hagar and her son Ishmael and blessed them with a great nation as well. God heard their cries in the wilderness and provided for them. God also gave Hagar a special name, El Roi “The Lord who sees me” (Gen.16:13), which shows that she had a personal encounter with God. Hagar was also the first human to give God a new name, “The God who hears”. Hagar was a woman of faith and courage, who trusted God in her difficult circumstances. ^6, 7

Sarai’s barrenness was not an indication that Abraham had not really heard God, but rather a test of his faith and obedience. God had promised Abraham that he would make him a great nation and bless him, but he did not tell him how or when he would do it. Abraham had to wait for many years and face many challenges before he saw the fulfillment of God’s promise. Sarai’s barrenness was also a way for God to show his power and grace, by giving them a son in their old age, when it was humanly impossible. ⁸ This perceived impossibility allowed Abraham and Sarai make a decision on their own, their attempt to see that God’s promised was fulfilled. This was an alternative plan for God, but it was not God’s plan.

Abraham’s faith and obedience to God?

Abraham was a man of faith, a man who eventually accepted his own fragility and demonstrated his faith and obedience to God in many ways throughout his life. Here are some examples:

1. He left his homeland and family to follow God’s call to a land that God would show him, without knowing where he was going or how long it would take. He trusted God’s promise to make him a great nation and bless him. ^{9, 10}
2. He believed God’s promise to give him a son in his old age, even when it seemed impossible. He did not waver in his faith but gave glory to God. He also agreed to change his name from Abram to Abraham, meaning “father of a multitude”, as a sign of God’s covenant with him. ¹¹ 
3. He obeyed God’s command to circumcise himself and his household, as a mark of the covenant between God and his descendants. He did this when he was 99 years old, showing his willingness to obey God even when it was painful and risky.  
4. He offered hospitality to three strangers who turned out to be angels, and interceded for the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, who were about to be destroyed by God’s judgment. He showed his compassion and generosity to others, even those who were wicked and ungrateful.  
5. He was willing to sacrifice his son Isaac, whom he loved, when God tested him. He did not hesitate to obey God’s command, even when it seemed to contradict God’s promise. He trusted that God was able to raise Isaac from the dead, if necessary. He proved his faith by his actions, and God rewarded him by confirming his promise and providing a ram as a substitute for Isaac.  

These are some of the ways that Abraham demonstrated his faith and obedience to God. He is called the father of faith and the friend of God, because he trusted and obeyed God in every situation. He is also an example for us, who are his spiritual children by faith in Jesus Christ, the promised seed of Abraham. Abraham’s example is an object lesson for us; we are not perfect, but God is perfect and faithful to fulfill his plan for our life.

What is the significance of circumcision in Judaism?

Circumcision (Gen. 17) is an initiation rite for Jewish newborn boys that symbolizes the covenant between God and the Jewish people. ¹² It is based on the commandment that God gave to Abraham, the first patriarch of Judaism, to circumcise himself and his descendants as a sign of their eternal bond. ¹³Circumcision is considered one of the most important and central commandments in Judaism, and it has played a vital role in the history and identity of the Jewish people. ¹⁴

Circumcision is usually performed by a mohel, a trained expert, on the eighth day after the baby’s birth, unless there is a medical reason to delay it. ¹² The ceremony is called a brit milah, which means “covenant of circumcision” in Hebrew. ¹³ It is attended by family and community members, who witness the ritual and celebrate with a festive meal. ¹⁴ The baby is given his Hebrew name during the ceremony, which often reflects his connection to his ancestors or his hopes for the future. ¹⁵

Circumcision is seen as a way of fulfilling God’s will and expressing one’s Jewish identity. It is also believed to confer spiritual and physical benefits, such as holiness, purity, health, and protection., ¹⁶ Jews who fail to undergo circumcision are considered to be cut off from God and the Jewish people, unless they repent and rectify their omission. ^{13, 15} However, circumcision is not a universal moral law for all humanity, but a specific obligation for Jews and their slaves. ¹³ Non-Jews who follow the Noahide laws, which are seven basic ethical rules derived from the Torah, are also considered righteous and worthy of God’s reward. Paul also taught that there was no salvation or rewards for Gentile circumcision. Physical circumcision was a sign of identity, but Paul taught us that spiritual circumcision was an action by the spirit at the time when each of us were identified with Christ (Col 2:11), a time when we severed from the ways of the world. 

Sarai’s weakness gave an opportunity for God to show his awesome power by fulfilling his promise to Abraham. Abraham became our example of obeying God even when natural circumstances declared otherwise. Here are a few examples where human weakness was supplemented by God’s great power:

1. Moses was slow of speech and tongue, but God used him to deliver the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and to lead them to the promised land. God gave him miraculous signs and wonders, such as the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, and the giving of the law. God also spoke to him face to face, as a friend speaks to a friend. ^17, 18
2. Gideon was the least in his family and his clan was the weakest in Manasseh, but God chose him to save Israel from the Midianites. God reduced his army from 32,000 to 300 men, so that Israel would not boast against him. God gave him victory over the enemy with trumpets, jars, and torches. God also confirmed his calling with a fleece and a dream. ^19, 20
3. David was a young shepherd boy, but God anointed him as king over Israel. God enabled him to defeat Goliath, the giant Philistine warrior, with a sling and a stone. God also protected him from Saul’s jealousy and gave him a covenant of everlasting kingship. God called him a man after his own heart.  
4. Esther was an orphaned Jewish girl in exile, but God made her queen of Persia. God used her to save her people from Haman’s plot to destroy them. God gave her favor with the king and courage to risk her life for her people. God also turned the tables on Haman and honored Mordecai, Esther’s cousin.  
5. Mary was a humble virgin from Nazareth, but God chose her to be the mother of Jesus, the Son of God. God overshadowed her with the Holy Spirit and conceived in her the Savior of the world. God also blessed her with Elizabeth’s confirmation and Simeon’s prophecy. God exalted her among all generations.  
6. Paul was a persecutor of the church, but God transformed him into an apostle of Christ. God blinded him on the road to Damascus and revealed to him the gospel of grace. God empowered him to preach to the Gentiles and plant churches across the Roman Empire. God also gave him visions and revelations, as well as a thorn in the flesh to keep him humble.  

These are some of the examples where human weakness was supplemented by God’s great power in the Bible. There are many more that can be found in Scripture, but these are sufficient.

The Lesson from Abraham and Sarai’s Conduct

One possible philosophical proposition that this event demonstrated is that “God’s power is not dependent on human ability, but on human availability. This means that God does not choose people based on their natural talents or qualifications, but on their willingness to obey and serve Him. He can use anyone who is open to His call and His purpose, regardless of their background or circumstances.

One possible theological proposition that this event demonstrated is that “God’s power is manifested in human weakness for His glory”. This means that God does not hide or remove our weaknesses, but rather uses them as opportunities to display His strength and grace. He does this so that we would not rely on ourselves or boast in ourselves, but on Him and His sufficiency. He also does this so that others would see His work in us and praise Him for it.

How does God use suffering for His glory?

Without doubt Abraham and all adult males suffered at their times of circumcision. For days they were still, unable to move freely and were not able to complete their normal activities.  And when the Holy Spirit circumcises our hearts, often there is uncomfortable moments, even pain as God separates us from our worldly behavior.  God uses suffering for His glory in various ways, according to His sovereign wisdom and purpose. Here are some of them:

1. God uses suffering to display His power and grace in our lives. When we suffer, we experience our weakness and dependence on God, who alone can sustain us and deliver us. God’s power is made perfect in our weakness, as the apostle Paul said in 2 Corinthians 12:9-10²¹. God also shows His grace by giving us comfort, peace, joy, and hope in the midst of our trials, as well as the assurance of His love and presence. God’s grace is sufficient for us, as Paul also said in the same passage²¹.
2. God uses suffering to refine our faith and character. When we suffer, we are tested and purified by the fire of affliction, which reveals and removes the impurities of our sin and selfishness. God’s goal is to make us more like Christ, who suffered for us and with us. God’s work is to produce in us perseverance, character, and hope, as Paul said in Romans 5:3-5²². God also disciplines us as His children, to correct us and train us in righteousness, as the author of Hebrews said in Hebrews 12:5-11²³.
3. God uses suffering to advance His kingdom and gospel. When we suffer, we have opportunities to witness to others about Christ, who is the source of our strength and hope. God’s glory is seen in our suffering, as we share in the sufferings of Christ, who died and rose again for our salvation. God’s glory is also seen in our service, as we minister to others who are suffering with the compassion and generosity of Christ. God’s purpose is to spread His gospel to all nations, as Jesus said in Matthew 24:14²⁴. God also rewards us for our faithful suffering, as Peter said in 1 Peter 4:12-19²⁵.

These are some of the ways that God uses suffering for His glory. There are many more that we may not fully understand or appreciate now, but we will see them clearly when we meet Him face to face. Until then, we can trust that God knows what He is doing, and that He works in and through the pain and afflictions of His people for His glory and for their good.

What is the meaning of sanctification in Christianity?

As we become more cut off from our old and worldly behavior, taking on the ethics of the kingdom, following more closely the mandates of our Lord, we become more like our Lord. Sanctification in Christianity is the process and state of being made holy by God through the work of the Holy Spirit. It is a gift of God’s grace that begins at the moment of salvation and continues throughout the life of the believer (we might think of this as circumcision). Sanctification involves both God’s action and human cooperation, as God transforms the believer’s nature, character, and behavior into the likeness of Christ.

Sanctification has both a definitive and a progressive aspect, meaning that the believer is already set apart for God and declared righteous in Christ, but also needs to grow into the likeness of Christ by the power of the Spirit. ^26, 27

Some of the biblical terms that describe sanctification are:

1. To be sanctified (Greek: hagiazo) means to be set apart, consecrated, or purified for God’s purpose. ²⁸
2. To be holy (Greek: hagios) means to be separate, distinct, or different from the common or sinful. It also implies moral excellence or purity. ²⁹
3. To be perfect (Greek: teleios) means to be complete, mature, or fully developed. It does not imply sinlessness or flawlessness, but rather reaching one’s intended goal or purpose. ³⁰

If we become more like Christ, what are some of the benefits and goals of sanctification are:

1. To glorify God by reflecting His image and character in our lives.³⁰
2. To enjoy God’s presence and fellowship by being reconciled and restored to Him. 
3. To fulfill God’s will and purpose by being obedient and fruitful in His service. 
4. To prepare for God’s kingdom and eternal reward by being ready and faithful for His coming. 

I hope this helps us understand the meaning of sanctification in Christianity.  

How can I grow into the likeness of Christ?

Growing into the image of Christ is a lifelong process that requires God’s grace and our cooperation. It involves both God’s action and our response, as He transforms us into the image of Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. Here are some practical steps that can help you grow in holiness and obedience as a Christian:

1. Know and love God’s Word. The Bible is God’s primary means of sanctifying us and teaching us how to live a holy life. As you read, study, memorize, meditate, and apply God’s Word, you will learn more about His character, His will, and His ways. You will also be convicted of your sin, corrected in your error, and encouraged in your faith. As Jesus prayed, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth” (John 17:17). ³¹
2. Consider yourself dead to sin and alive to Christ. When you became a Christian, you were united with Christ in His death and resurrection. This means that you are no longer under the dominion of sin, but under the lordship of Christ. You have a new identity and a new power to resist temptation and obey God. As Paul said, “So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11). ³²
3. Pray and depend on the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the agent of sanctification, who works in us to produce the fruit of holiness. He also helps us to pray according to God’s will, to understand God’s Word, to resist the devil, and to follow Christ’s example. We need to pray for His filling and guidance every day, and to rely on His strength rather than our own. As Paul said, “But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). ³³
4. Confess and repent of your sins. Sin is the enemy of holiness, and it hinders our fellowship with God and our growth in grace. We need to confess our sins to God regularly, and to repent of them sincerely. We also need to seek forgiveness from those whom we have offended or hurt by our sins. God promises to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness when we confess our sins (1 John 1:9). ³⁴
5. Pursue godliness in all areas of life. Holiness is not just a matter of avoiding sin, but also of doing good. We need to seek God’s will and purpose in every aspect of our lives, such as our relationships, our work, our hobbies, our finances, our health, etc. We need to honor God with our bodies, our minds, our hearts, and our actions. We need to cultivate virtues such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). 
6. Join a local church and fellowship with other believers. Holiness is not a solo project, but a community effort. We need the support, accountability, encouragement, and correction of other Christians who are also pursuing holiness. We need to belong to a local church where we can worship God together, hear His Word preached faithfully, receive His sacraments regularly, serve one another humbly, and share the gospel boldly. We need to bear one another’s burdens and spur one another on to love and good deeds (Galatians 6:2; Hebrews 10:24-25). 
7. Look forward to Christ’s return and eternal reward. Holiness is not only for this life, but also for the life to come. We need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, who is coming again to judge the living and the dead, and to make all things new. We need to remember that He has prepared a place for us in heaven, where we will see Him face to face and be like Him in perfect holiness. We need to live in light of eternity, knowing that God will reward us for our faithfulness and obedience (2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 21:1-5; 22:12). 

These are some of the steps that can help us grow into his image and likeness. They are not exhaustive or exclusive, but they are essential and interrelated. They are not meant to be legalistic or burdensome, but rather liberating and joyful. They are not based on human effort or merit, but on divine grace and power.

I hope this helps us understand how to grow into the image of Christ. We have to be cognizant of the reality that this is a process that occurs over time, and at times it is a process that evens hurts.  Obeying the mandates of our Lord can often cause for internal battles.  But in the end, if we persevere, God’s word will prevail and slowly we become more like Christ.  God’s plan does not depend on human ability, but on human availability.