So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image. 2 Corinthians 3:18
If I’m forgiven, why do I still struggle?
Tim had smoked pot daily for years. But when he surrendered his life to Jesus’s control, the addiction vanished. His friend Roy struggles with a terrible temper. “Why,” Roy anguished, “doesn’t God take that away from me like He did Tim’s addiction?” Even after spending time praying in the morning, by afternoon Roy was still Roy—impatient at work and losing it in traffic.
God works differently in each of us—for some, he brings immediate freedom, and for others, he shapes us over time. Scripture explains that “… the [Holy] Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image” (2 Corinthians 3:18 excerpted). Notice it says, “as we are changed.”
Think of stepping inside from the bitter cold. No one tells your hands to warm up. Warmth works slowly. As we stay close to Jesus, our desires begin to shift. Old patterns loosen. We start to want what leads to life. Not perfectly. Not instantly. But truly.
One leader of early Jesus followers was honest about the process. He said, “I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it …. Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin?” But then he answers: “Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 7:15, 24-25 excerpted). He declared confidence that God would finish what He started (Philippians 1:6).
That’s our hope as we struggle with sin. Are you thinking, I should be further along by now? Remember: slow growth is real growth. Stay close to Jesus. Stay open to his loving correction. The One who welcomed you home is also committed to making you new.
