God not only chooses us by and through His Grace, but He also changes us the same way. This is such a great mercy...can you imagine if He chose you by grace but then told you that you needed to somehow work out your own sanctification and conform yourself to Christ's image? The same grace which justifies us through the costly death of Jesus also continues to work it's way in and through us, by the power of the Spirit, performing this lifelong work of change. And while we know that in this world we will never reach that end state of looking like Christ, we take heart in knowing that we are sealed by the work He has already accomplished, and we rest in His promise to complete His work and present us as complete when we stand before the Father.
ABOUT THIS SERIES: The Gospel of John was written "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing in Him you may have life in His Name" (John 20.30). The Apostle John, as an eyewitness and close friend of Jesus', desires for us to behold His beauty, love, and glory, and believe in His power and willingness to being forgiveness and life. As we journey through the Gospel of John, we will behold the life, teachings, works, and ministry of Jesus, and will hear straight from Him who He said He is, so that we would more deeply put our hope and trust in the Man who is God.
