That being true, what I don't understand is what can be added to the transformation God gives to us?
How do you "increase" your rebirth? Make yourself "more" justified?
We are justified, and reborn, these are fully efficacious, and I don't see how they can be added to.
Much love!
If one looks at the scripture, we are justified in a relationship with the expectation of following and changing. Grace is given only on the expectation of change.
The parable of the merciful servant says it all. The servant is forgiven a great debt, but takes the debtor to them and throws them in prison. The King hears and reinstates the original debt.
So we are not adding to our justification or gift we are fulfilling it. The eternal dilemma is sinful man starts flawed, but the seed sown will work over time through their whole life. In between grace makes up the difference. We could spend this grace on being lazy and ignoring God, except He warns that judgement will eventually follow.
Some argue if we stay as we are, that is all that is required. Except this testifies to the truth this believer has never met Jesus and the word has not taken root. It is not possible to know Jesus and continue in sin. Sin burns a hole in ones soul, it is a dilemma one wants to resolve and find a real solution and resolution to. Paul described this as being like an athlete. He trained himself continuously. He never paused. And Paul held himself up as an example to follow.
The wording that Peter used was "sure"
10 Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make
your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,
2 Peter 1:10
4 For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you.
5
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?
2 Cor 13:4-5
1 Therefore, holy brothers,
who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.
Heb 3:1
5 All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result
you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.
2 Thess 1:5
10 And we pray this in order that you may
live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
Col 1:10
It seems without the cleansing we have no hope to attain to the image of Jesus, because in sin we cannot commune with the Lord. Cleansed vessels can learn and know Him in a new way, yet these vessels can also defile the gift of life and the reality of Christ in them.
In truth being partial made whole is a state one does not want to stay in too long. If people carry the burden of addiction, or trauma and deep scaring, it can be a long slow road. Pilgrims progress is a story of such a walk.
When someone enters a race, they know the goal of the race and finishing, and know if they do not finish they have achieved nothing. Walking with Jesus is not different. Holding the faith, the gift to the end is the whole point, because this is about who we have become, not carrying a burden, but becoming that which He has called us to become. God bless you