But following the only true and steadfast Teacher, the Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ, who did, through His transcendent love, become what we are, that He might bring us to be even what He is Himself.
Irenaeus of Lyons
The Early Church believed it was essential for believers to go on from glory to glory, growing continually in being more like Christ. It is not through dead works but resting in everything Jesus accomplished 2,000 years ago that was established before the foundation of the world.
1 John 3:2 (YLT)
“beloved, now, children of God are we, and it was not yet manifested what we shall be, and we have known that if he may be manifested, like him we shall be, because we shall see him as he is;”
Colossians 1:27 (NASB)
“to whom God willed to make known what the wealth of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles is, the mystery that is Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
You cannot grow in Christ-likeness by a bunch of works and your own strength! Many in the name of Christianity are trying to change for the better, with good intentions, yet they are doing it without truly resting in Jesus Christ. Resting in Jesus means living by faith knowing God has started a work in you for His Glory and that He will complete it!
Matthew 11:28-30 (MSG)
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
It is one thing to know the Word of God by knowledge, but it is another thing to have a relationship with the Living Word. Don’t rush through the Word of God, sit and meditate upon it daily. When you do this the Word of God will become alive in you, and you will grow in conforming to the image of Jesus.