Sanctification in the Already-Not Yet
Conformity to Christ between the first and second coming
We are told that believers are “predestined to be conformed to the image of [Jesus Christ]” (Rom. 8:29, ESV). When will this take place?
Full conformity to Christ’s image comes ultimately when we are gloriously resurrected on the last day, the day of Jesus’ second coming. But the process of conformity begins in this life.
Therefore, we are living in an “already-not yet” paradigm. We are already being conformed to Christ’s image and reborn in the image of the new man. But we have not yet experienced the consummation of this.
Our relationship with sin has been changed through the work of Christ at His first coming. And what is begun in our earthly lives now will be brought to completion at Christ’s second coming.
We see this in 1 John 3:2-5.
Beloved, we are God's children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness. You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
- 1 John 3:2-5, ESV
Here, the apostle John references both Christ’s first and second coming within just a few verses of each other. He actually refers to the second coming first, telling his readers that “when he appears” they shall “be like him”, conformed to Jesus’ glorious image.
Then in verse 5, he reminds them that Christ came first to “take away sins”. This certainly has a role to play in our sanctification and conformity to the glorious and holy image of God in Christ.
In between the two advents of Christ, Christians press on in sanctification through the Spirit’s power, union with Christ, and the hope of future glory. In 1 John 3:3 we read that “everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure”. This is an ongoing present-tense action. And it is grounded in the “hope” of Christ.
John encourages Christians to walk in holiness with an eye to the future advent of Jesus Christ (see also 1 John 2:28). At this second advent of Christ, “we shall be like him”, transformed gloriously by resurrection power and, according to John, by the very sight of Jesus Christ.
John’s view of the two comings of Christ and their relevance to Christian holiness looks something like this:
First Coming (he appeared…(v. 5) → Taking away of sins
Second Coming (when he appears…(v. 2) → Perfect conformity to Christ (We shall be like him)
The author of Hebrews also speaks to this already-not yet paradigm.
so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.
- Hebrews 9:28, ESV
In both 1 John and Hebrews we are told that Christ’s first coming had to do with dealing with sin. He bore the sins of many and took away sins. Both authors agree furthermore that Christ’s second coming will lead to salvation and “becoming like him”.
What the work of Christ at the cross began to inaugurate will be consummated at His return. And this is true of our sanctification and conformity to His character as well.
Our union with Christ in His death and resurrection has made a definitive break with our old sin nature. We’ve been given a new heart and God has put a new spirit within us (Ezek. 36:26). While we remain in an ongoing fight against indwelling sin, we have victory over the power of sin in our lives. One glorious day, we will be conformed fully to Christlikeness “when he appears”.