God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
Genesis 1:27
Those he foreknew, he also marked out in advance
to be shaped according to the model of the image of his son,
so that he might be the firstborn of a large family.
And those he marked out in advance, he also called;
he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
Romans 8:29-30
We continue with the extended quote from “Wholeness – A Biblical and Christian Perspective.”
“Salvation is the first step toward regaining complete wholeness – in mind, body and spirit. Although we become a “new creation” in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17), aspects of our self that have been tainted by sin require healing and restoration. It’s by the work of the Holy Spirit within us that we have an opportunity to progress in our souls toward even greater wholeness. Our marred emotions, will and thinking can be transformed by the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. As we surrender more and more to the Spirit of God, he can work accordingly in our lives. Sanctification is a process. We become transformed or renewed, day by day, into the likeness of Jesus.” (2 Corinthians 3:18 and 4:6)
We are encouraged to take an active role in “stripping off all that hinders us” (Hebrews 12:1) so that we can better bear the full image of Christ. We are to “work out our wholeness ” (Philippians 2:12) that began when we were initially saved. We do this by surrendering more deeply to God.This is also a process of restoration, or healing, especially of our hearts. Various issues of the heart prevent us from being able to be like Jesus. Damaged emotions, belief in lies – especially of Satan’s lies – and unhealed relationships all contribute to our inability to live a life like Christ – a life that fully glories God the Father. The more we allow Christ into the places of our hearts and minds, the greater opportunity we have to be restored or healed. Healing and restoration are a part of the sanctification process. The more healing we experience – especially on the inside – the more our lives will bear the fruit of the Spirit.
As we live life on this earth, we have the opportunity to be more and more transformed into the image of Christ with ever-increasing glory (greater wholeness). 2 Corinthians 3:18 Paul prayed for the church: “May God himself, the God who makes everything whole, make you whole, put you together—spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23) “I also pray that “God, who has begun a good work within you, will continue his work (restoration, healing and transformation) until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.” Philippians 1:6
