The Apostle Paul, while writing to Timothy, disclosed to him the goal of all godly instruction. He said, “But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (1Tim. 1:5). This is what must result as the outcome of all godly instruction. A devoted, undistracted love for God—which is the first and foremost commandment; a good conscience that lives in righteousness where it is no longer we who lives but the life of the Messiah in us (Gal. 2:20); and the life that we live, we live by faith in the Son of God (Gal. 2:20)—a faith that in all sincerity displays complete confidence and trust, one the clings to, and one that depends completely on Yeshua. I have come to realize that if our life is characterised by these three qualities, it can radically transform our lives, more specifically our relationship with God and our behaviour in the world. My own witness is that it brings a complete transformation in the way we relate with the things of this earth and our outlook to the things that are eternal. There is a “renewing of our mind”, to use a phrase from Paul’s letter to the Romans.
However, the more we reflect on things of God and seek that which is above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God (Col. 3:1), the more we begin to recognise to what end God is working within us. It helps us see the final goal or the finish line, if you may. We know that God is working within us to will and to do what pleases Him (Php. 2:13); but to what end? What is the end result that God has in mind? The answer as usual is found in the Holy Bible. However, before that, it would help to briefly consider what God has prepared for those who love Him.
We learn that it is not to angels that God has subjected the world that is coming (Heb. 2:5), but to us of whom it is written, “What is man, that Thou rememberest him? ...Thou hast crowned him with glory and honour, and hast appointed him over the works of Thy hands; Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet” (Heb. 2:6-8). I hope this text does not skip our attention. “Thou hast put all things in subjection under his feet.” Terms like ‘inheritance’, ‘authority’ and ‘glory’ are the primary colours that make up this picture.
Further, in the New Covenant that God made with the House of Israel and the House of Judah, He made all those under this covenant kings and priests, with Yeshua as the High Priest—priests not according to the order of the Levites but one that is according to the order of Melchizedeck. For this reason, Yeshua is not ashamed to call us His brethren (Heb. 2:11) but has welcomed us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father (Rev. 1: 6). No longer do we need to approach God through others, like in the days of the first covenant and no longer does anyone need to teach his neighbour saying, “Know your God,” but in the New Covenant, those who are a part of redeemed Israel can draw near to Him with confidence to enter the Holy Place by the blood of Yeshua by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil (Heb. 10:19-20). Here, the emphasis is on the privilege we have as “kings and priests” before God. So great is all that God has prepared as an inheritance for His children, scripture tells us that they are what eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and which cannot be fathomed by the heart of man (1Cor. 2:9).
So to what end is God working? We know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28). But what is that purpose? The answer is in the following verse: “to become conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom. 8:29).
Again, we know that God will not test us beyond what we are able, but with every test will provide a way of escape, that we may be able to endure it (1Cor. 10:13). As a father who disciplines his child so does our Father work within us (Heb. 12:9-11)—with ever great patience, gentleness and compassion—so that the proof of our faith being more precious than gold may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Yeshua, the Messiah (1Pet. 1:7). “At the revelation of Yeshua, the Messiah,” says Peter, “we would be more precious than gold tried in fire.” It is almost similar to what Paul said to the Corinthian believers, “Momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison” (2Cor. 4:17).
As God opens our eyes to see further, we begin to recognise that at the appearing of Yeshua, that eternal weight of glory that is far beyond all comparison is “being like Him, just as He is” (1Jn. 3:2-3). God’s word tells us that He will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory (Php. 3:21). It is the very thing that the Bridegroom is doing in this period of waiting before His appearing. He is preparing His bride so that “He might present to Himself the Church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy—separated for Himself exclusively; and blameless (Eph. 5:27)—as a pure betrothed virgin (2Cor. 11:2).
It is with this in mind, the Apostle John wrote, “Everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure” (1Jn. 3:3). It is for the same reason that Paul said, “I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified” (1Cor. 9:26-27).
Oh that we may have such a mind as the Apostles did. A heart that remembers always that God “chose us in Him before the foundation of the world.”—And for what reason? “That we should be holy (set apart) and blameless before Him” (Eph. 1:4). Notice how Paul repeats these exact two terms while disclosing the goal of the Messiah’s efforts in preparing His bride (Eph. 5:27). This is the same thing Yahweh told Abram in Genesis 17:1—walk before Me and be blameless. This is the path we must walk—a life separated for God that displays the life of Yeshua [which is also the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)]. This is the race we have been exhorted to run; laying aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us (Heb. 12:1). Oh that we may live with such single-minded, undistracted devotion knowing that just as we are God’s precious possession (1Pet. 2:9), so must He be ours. May this set-apart life that lives in simplicity and purity of devotion to the Messiah (2Cor. 11:3) run in such a way knowing that the glorified Lord is eventually preparing His bride to be like Him—without spot or wrinkle or blemish.
