22.06.2018 Views

Fundamental Beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists

Create successful ePaper yourself

Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.

The Internal Change<br />

At the Second Advent we will be changed<br />

physically. This corruptible mortal body will put<br />

on immortality (1 Cor. 15: 51-54). However, our<br />

characters must undergo transformation in<br />

preparation for the Second Advent.<br />

Character transformation involves the mental<br />

and spiritual aspects <strong>of</strong> the image <strong>of</strong> God, that<br />

"inner nature" that is to be renewed daily (2 Cor.<br />

4:16, RSV; cf. Rom. 12:2). Thus, like the old lady<br />

in the Shepherd <strong>of</strong> Hermas story, the church is<br />

growing younger within--each fully surrendered<br />

Christian is being changed from glory to glory,<br />

until, at the Second Advent, his or her<br />

transformation into the image <strong>of</strong> God will be<br />

completed.<br />

1. The involvement <strong>of</strong> Christ and<br />

the Holy Spirit<br />

Only the Creator can accomplish the creative<br />

work <strong>of</strong> transforming our lives (1 Thess. 5:23).<br />

336

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!