Paul the Apostle makes us understand that being transformed into the Image of the Son of God is a Process that actually takes quite some time. He declared thus in his Second Epistle to the Church in Corinth: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the Glory of the Lord, ARE BEING TRANSFORMED INTO THE SAME IMAGE FROM ONE DEGREE OF GLORY TO ANOTHER. For this comes from the Lord Who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18). So we can observe that this is an Ongoing Process throughout our lives. We must never grow discouraged because even if it takes a lifetime, we would never achieve a Total Transformation into Holiness until He appears after which we shall finally be like Him, and as John the Beloved wrote, “We know that when Christ appears, WE SHALL BE LIKE HIM, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 Jn. 3:2). Explaining further, Paul also wrote in his Epistle to the Church in Rome: “For those God foreknew He also predestined TO BE CONFORMED TO THE IMAGE OF HIS SON, that He might be the Firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Rom. 8:29).
There are Four Basic Tools the Lord God Almighty uses to fully change us into His Likeness and they are as follows:
THE WORD OF GOD
James 1:25 (NLT) declares "But if you keep looking steadily into God's Perfect Law-the Law that sets you free-and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." There is a level of change that occurs in the life of a Christian believer if he meditates on God's Word and obeys it.
THE PRESENCE OF GOD
As we spend Quality Time Fellowshipping with God in the Place of Prayer and Worship, we become more like Him. 2 Corinthians 3:16 (NLT) states, "But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, then the veil is taken away."
SPIRITUAL AUTHORITY
God brings us in contact with Anointed Leaders to direct and guide us. As we obey them, His Work that brings about True Change gets activated. Hebrews 13:17 (NLT) states, "Obey your Spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their Work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit."
SUFFERINGS
This is also known as the Wilderness Experience. God would allow us to encounter certain hardships or experiences to speed up His Work that brings about Transformation in us. Hebrews 5:8-9 (AMP) states: "Although He was a Son, He learned [Active, Special] Obedience through what He suffered. And [His Completed Experience] making Him perfectly [equipped], He became the Author and Source of Eternal Salvation to all those who give heed and obey Him."
1 Peter 5:10 (NKJV) also declares "But may the God of all Grace, Who called us to His Eternal Glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen and settle you." The Process of being changed into His Likenesses is not dependent on God alone but we all have a major part to play (Jam. 4:8).