Becoming Who You Are

Our title is taken from the strange idea that, as Christians, we are continually growing into the likeness we already fully possess in Christ. This is called sanctification.

Another way of putting might be: 'Make more thoroughly your own that which you possess.' Or, 'Work into the substance of your souls that which you have.' Or, 'Apprehend that for which your are apprehended of Christ' (Alexander Maclaren). This is one of many apparent paradoxes in the Christian faith. Such as: Jesus is both God and man at the same time. Scripture is the work of God and man at the same time. God is both one and three, and so on.

In our text, we find yet another apparent paradox: Sanctification is both a work of man and entirely a work of God--all at the same time.