To be changed into the image of his Son is to have our soul, spirit, and body transformed according to the three aspects of Christ. First, His character must be developed in us. His character consists of what He is in essence, His disposition, and His moral conduct. Our natural life is transmuted into His Essence, which is Divinity, as we partake of His body and blood, and as the Word of God grows in us.

Our disposition is changed as the Holy Spirit instructs us, by the ministries of the Body of Christ and by the circumstances of our daily living, how God expects us to behave. The Spirit teaches us to be gentle, cheerful in adversity, patient in frustrating situations, steadfast and reliable concerning our responsibilities, loving and forgiving toward those among whom we live, and resolute concerning the will of God.

Our moral conduct is purified as we lay hold on the authority of the blood of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. We overthrow and demolish the uncleanness in our behavior. God forgives us and keeps on enabling us to put to death the deeds of our body.

Second, we are to become the eternal habitation of the fullness of the Father in the fullness of Christ through the fullness of the Holy Spirit (John 14:23; John 17:21-23; Ephesians 2:21,22; Revelation 3:12).

Third, we shall receive and possess forever a body like that of Christ in form, and fashioned from eternal life (Philippians 3:21; II Corinthians 5:4; I Corinthians 15:53,54; John 3:16).

Another way of describing the image of Christ, that which we are to become, is found in Ezekiel 1:10 and Revelation 4:7. The image and likeness of Christ is pictured as the lion, the ox, the man, and the eagle.

The lion is the unconquerable majesty and strength of the Son of God. The ox is the ability and willingness of Christ to continue patiently under the heavy load of service to God. The man is the perfected soul, spirit, and body of the person—that with which God can have fellowship. God cannot have fellowship with lions, oxen, or eagles, only with people who are like Himself.

The eagle is the ever-renewed resurrection life that soars up from the earth and ascends into the heights of worship and glory.

If we are deficient as the lion, God will add to us the courage and ability with which to stand against and destroy the enemies of God and man.

If we are deficient as the ox, God will develop in us the willingness, strength, and patience to carry heavy burdens over a period of time, as the Lord directs.

If we are deficient as the man, God will build us up in soul, spirit, and body according to His standard for personal characteristics.

If we are deficient as the eagle, God will create "wings" in us so we can soar into the heavens in the fierce independence and freedom of the sons of God.

The saint is to be brought from total alienation from God all the way to the image of Christ and to perfect rest in Christ in God. The making of an atonement, in the fullest meaning of the term, includes this entire transition.

To be continued.