Will the Character Be Transformed in Heaven?
The character of a redeemed will not be transformed when he gets to heaven. The transformation of character is to take place here on earth. Life is a God given opportunity to develop the Christian character by His grace. For the Lord says to His children, “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16; Matthew 5:48).
Christ did not come to save us in sin but from sin (1 John 1:7). The Lord gives us not just forgiveness of sin but also victory over it. He promised, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). And the Lord has made every provision so that the believer may overcome every sin (Romans 8:1–4).
The process of transformation, which is called “sanctification,” is a day-by-day cleaning from sin and growth in the Christian graces (Romans 6:19). The first step whereby the sinner receives instant forgiveness of all past sins is called “justification” (Romans 5:1). And this continues on. The Lord is constantly working to “purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:14).
Through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit, every Christian is to “cleanses himself … be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work” (2 Timothy 2:21). Through sanctification the life becomes step by step more like God, who is “holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Paul admonishes the believers to perfect their character by God’s grace, “…let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).
How Can Christians Achieve Holiness?
A human is unable to cleanse himself, for there is no strength in him to get rid of sin (Romans 7:22–24). The Christian can be made holy only by letting God perform the transformation of character (Philippians 2:12, 13; 1 Peter 1:22). The believer must make use of God’s provisions for cleansing. God moves the will so believer may use it.
The armor of Christ is available for all Christians, but theirs is the responsibility for wearing it (Ephesians 6:10, 11). God’s power and grace are useless in a person who has a passive heart and will. God is with the one who fights “the good fight of faith,” and will bring him victory (1 Timothy 6:12; Romans 8:37).
The Lord promises, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:4). It is by faith in God’s promise, that Christians can become partakers of the divine nature, and through the power of that new nature, they may be able to escape the corruption of sin.
In other words, everything depends on the believer’s surrender and commitment to the indwelling Spirit of Christ. “Without me,” Jesus said, “ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). As long as the believer stays connected to God through daily study of His Word and prayer, he can experience victory. Jesus declared, “He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit…” (John 15:5).
The Bible teaches that the One who loved us enough to die for us is even now living in us to carry on the work of our salvation (Galatians 2:20). Therefore, we can do all things through Him who strengthens us (Philippians 4:13). Paul experienced that redeeming power, and it led him to proclaim, “thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
