Reflections
One of the greatest errors among Christian people is the notion that sanctification is the result of God acting upon us to make us, “look like Jesus” — or that sanctification is the result of US building in ourselves a Christ-likeness. No. Both are error.
WE will never, “look like Jesus.” Rather, WE are to come under the work of the Cross so that the Christ who dwells in us might be made manifest through us. Note the distinction – this is not US looking like Jesus. It is Jesus manifested through us.
Paul said, “I am crucified with Christ. Nevertheless I live. Yet not I — but Christ.” (Gal. 2:20) He also said, “Always bearing about in our body the dying of the Lord Jesus, so that the life also of the Lord Jesus may be made manifest in our mortal bodies.” (II Cor. 4:10) It is never that saints are to be molded to look like Christ. It is always Christ Himself being seen in the saint.
Paul said, “But of him are you in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption: That, according as it is written, He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.“ (1 Cor 1:29-31) What is sanctification? Sanctification is NOT us being made to look like Christ. Rather, sanctification is Christ – being seen in and through a saint. The Treasure in an earthen vessel never makes the earthen vessel to be a treasure. No. The Treasure remains the Treasure and the earthen vessel remains the earthen vessel. But the earthen vessel is privileged to be broken so that the Treasure might be seen: “He that glories, let him glory in the Lord.”