Though we would rarely verbalize it this way, at times our actions and attitudes reflect a doubt that God is able to sanctify and change us: “That’s just the way I am — I’ve always been that way, and I always will be that way.”
Such an attitude reflects a doubt in the wisdom of God’s purposes for our lives, and a doubt in God’s power over our lives.
But the superiority of Christ’s power — demonstrated in the resurrection, ascension, and exaltation — all demonstrate that God in Christ is fully sufficient to transform His people to His intended purposes. For an example, note the disciples:
[For the disciples in the Upper Room after the resurrection] in one sense nothing had changed: Rome still occupied Palestine, the religious authorities still conspired against them, death and evil still reigned outside. Gradually, however, the shock of recognition gave way to a long, slow undertow of joy. If God could do that… [Philip Yancey]
And that is the very point of this passage: since God has the sufficient power to raise Christ from the dead, then He also has the sufficient power to sanctify those who trust in Christ.
To what will His people be sanctified? The remainder of the book offers a few insights:
- God is sufficient to equip His people for the work of ministry (4:10-11)
- God is sufficient to equip His people to stand firm against the devil (6:11)
- God is sufficient to equip His people to resist sin (6:13)
- God is sufficient to equip His people to stand firm in the faith (6:13)
- God is sufficient to equip His people to extinguish attacks against the faith (6:16)
Yes, God really is able to change and transform His people to make them be all that He designs them to be. The power of God demonstrated in the person of Christ affirms that truth.
Words of Grace 