we know because all work for good the ones loved by God, the ones existing called according to his purpose because those he foreknew also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son (Romans 28-29)
so then brethren we exist indebted not to the flesh to live according to the flesh, for if you live according to the flesh certainly death but if the Spirit puts to death the deeds of the body you will certainly live. For those led by the Spirit exist the sons of God (Romans 8:12-14)
I live in this worm of a body of death and sin, as I await the completion of my salvation, even the Spirit which lives within me moans awaiting the fullness of my adoption, the redemption of my body, for of this hope saved (Romans 8:19-24). Am I a worm? Will the metamorphosis into that new creation, of a butterfly, only occur when I receive my new body and have gone to my heavenly home? Is this earthly life my cocoon where I am being transformed into a new creation until one day it is completed and I receive a glorified body and a heavenly home? Am I to think of myself as a helpless worm then? But even inwardly the worm knows it is something more and has a purpose.
if children then also heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs together with Christ, provided we suffer so that also glorified with him (Romans 8:17)
There is no suffering in heaven. Through suffering, I am being glorified with Christ. Therefore, glorification is something that occurs while I am in this earthly body. Now, I have not attained it completely, thus my salvation, redemption, adoption, and glorification are not complete until literally, I see Christ "face to face." But I am looking into his face now, and in it shines the glory of God.
now, we all with unveiled faces as beholding in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed (metamorpho) of the same image from glory to glory, even as forth from the Lord's Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18)
The Spirit of Christ dwells in us, the doctrine of the Trinity states they are three, but also one. Jesus said his words were Spirit and Truth. And the sword of the Spirit is the word of God. And Jesus is the Word of God. Thus, from the Lord's Spirit, we are being transformed from glory to glory. Other translations say from "one degree of glory to another" to put emphasis on the idea that renewal is not complete but ever-increasing in glory. Transformed from one degree of glory to another, we are being glorified.
therefore not [discouraged] rather also if that our outward man wasting away, that inward renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16)
We know that the Spirit moans inwardly in us as we await the glorious freedom as children of God. The one raising Jesus will also raise us in a new body together with Jesus (2 Corinthians 4:14-16). But we also know we are being renewed day by day inwardly. The old man is being put off, the new man put on through the knowledge of Jesus, "and put on the new man, that being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator" (Colossians 3:10). Therefore, we do not jump to chapter six of Ephesians and put on the armor of God until we deal with the fleshly, having put on the garments of the new man.
so also written 'the first man Adam became a living soul.' The last Adam a life-giving spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45)
The last Adam refers to Christ, he is a life-giving spirit. In the new covenant, the children of God are defined by being born of the Spirit. They are a new creation in Christ, made alive spiritually. It is an amazing thing to think about, the image of God Adam was created in, who then fell into sinful nature, and the conqueror Christ who is a life-giving Spirit in whom we become a new creation and are being "renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator." In other words, we are being renewed or conformed or transformed into that image of God.
through whom freely given to us his precious and splendid promises so that we through them come into existence, escaping the corruption in the world in sinful desires, becoming partakers of God's divine nature (2 Peter 1:4)
Through the knowledge of Jesus, we are escaping the corruption in this world, and becoming partakers of his divine nature, which implies putting off the old man and putting on the new who was created in God's image. So everything for life and godliness is through the knowledge of Jesus. This is a progressively knowing him and being conformed to his image. We see bits and pieces of his glory, beholding him as in a mirror, being renewed day by day. In this hope, we are saved. "Escaping the corruption in the world in sinful desires, becoming partakers of God's divine nature" speaks of this happening not when I go to heaven but exist still on earth becoming like Jesus more and more.
in him was life and that life exists the light of men (John 1:4)
Jesus said "let your light shine before men so that your good works also glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:14-16). Is it our deed that is the good work or that we bear the fruit of becoming like Jesus that glorifies God? So let us look at this taking scriptures in context. We see that our light is like a lamp to the world, and the good it shines corresponds to the life we have in Christ. He is the Vine we are the branch, if we abide in him we will bear fruit. God is glorified in that we bear fruit of being disciples of Jesus (John 15:8). So being his workmanship is walking in good works, molded, conformed to his image, this is what God purposed beforehand.
God made us alive to demonstrate in this age to come upon, the overabundance of the riches of his grace and kindness to us in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:5-10). So we are a new creation, of his workmanship, to walk in newness of life. From the riches of his mercy through his great love we are made alive, in Christ. Life in Christ is the light to the world.
... are being transformed of the same image from glory to glory, even as forth from the Lord's Spirit (2 Corinthians 3:18)
Jesus is the radiance of his glory, the exact character of his nature... (Hebrews 1:3). And we become partakers of this divine nature in new birth but also as our minds become like Christ, as we grow in the knowledge of him (2 Peter 1:4). The spiritual blessings we receive in Christ, all come from the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:3-15). So salvation by grace through faith says it is a gift from God, not of works lest we boast (Ephesians 2:8-10). It is why our wisdom, redemption, righteousness, and sanctification, are gifts in Christ lest we boast (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). So we see that our good works are a reflection of maturity, of being transformed to his image, "for we exist his workmanship created in Christ Jesus to the extent of good works, which God prepared in advance so that we walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).
because those he foreknew also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son so that he might be the first-born of many brethren (Romans 8:29)
Christ is the first and we are the fruit of a new creation in him.* To those called according to his purpose he is working out all for our good so that we are being conformed to the image of Christ. This is what God purposed in Christ, to those he predestined he called, justified, and glorifies (Romans 8:30). So what does being called according to his purpose mean? Ephesians 1 and 3 tell us more.
I ask therefore do not [be discouraged] in my suffering on your behalf which exists your glory, for this reason, I bow my knees before the Father ... so that according to the riches of his glory grant you ruling power... (Ephesians 3:13-14)
It is for your glory that I am suffering. Paul experiences suffering having great revelation into the glory of God. This revelation is taught to others so that they may have life. Not just when they go to heaven but here on earth, "just as it is written for your sake, death all day long, regarded as sheep to be slaughtered,' but in all this we are conquerors above through him who loved us" (Romans 8:36-37). I am not a worm, I am a butterfly. And even though I might not know fully who I am until I see him "face to face" I am getting closer and closer looking into his glorious face.
when I was a child I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, and I reasoned like a child. When I became a man I set aside the child. For at the present looking through a mirror in an enigma. Now, then face to face. Presently knowing in part then, now I now fully just as I am fully known (1 Corinthians 13: 12-13)
An enigma is mysterious or incomprehensible, it is not easy to understand. Paul calls it a mystery what God is making known through the church through Christ. Am I to remain a child until I meet Jesus face to face. John talks about growth as a child, young person, and adult (1 John 2). Am I to think myself but a worm. No, something has changed inside me, though I am still crawling around like a worm, I know I am something more, so I have a reasonable service and purpose. Will I only truly be free and be known or fully know who I am when I see Jesus face to face? Yes, but I am looking into his glorious face and being renewed day by day. I am winning a most glorious victory in Christ. So I press on.
I press on toward the goal to the extent of the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14)
"All work together for good to the one loved of God, the ones called according to his purpose because those he foreknew also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son" (Romans 8:28-29). Do you see it? Oh, I pray you do, I pray you are blessed in the spiritual things of God looking into the glorious face of Jesus being transformed from one degree of glory to the next.
That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his suffering, being conformed to his death if somehow to attain the resurrection from the dead, not that I have received or already reached my goal but I press on to make it my own to the extent which also Christ Jesus made me his own... (Philippians 3:10-11).
God has instilled this in us, we are more. Like the worm knowing it is more, a butterfly, so it goes and builds a cocoon to be transformed. Forgetting what lies behind, and reaching out to what lies ahead I press on toward the "upward call" of God in Christ Jesus. No, I am not a worm, destitute of an upward calling, void of a heavenly purpose and to be pitied in this world, no, I am a butterfly, a glorious new creation in Christ Jesus. Press on to the "upward calling..," flying higher is my calling.