2 Corinthians 13:9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.

Oh if wishing only made it so. Don’t you want to be like Jesus? We are promised to be conformed in Romans 8:29. But that is conformed to the image, not conformed to Christ. To look like is not the same as being Christ. I have photos of my mom and dad, but they are not my mom and dad.

I wished I had a house. I got a job, saved some money. I made a down payment, got a loan, and found a house. After many years of effort I received the title, the house was mine. If we look at Christ’s perfection in the same way we will do things to attain perfection. The problem is that we look at it from a standpoint of human effort.

Exodus 20:4a Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above,

One of the Ten Commandments says not to make images. Our promise is to be made an image of Christ. How is this any different? Graven, to be made of earthly hands. God Himself is the Potter, we are but the clay. We do not get to mold ourselves, we are molded by God. One of the misconceptions I labored under for years was that I was in control of my progress. I made the decisions, I made the effort and if I failed it was my fault. I would renew my efforts, rededicate myself to more self-control and in the end fail yet again.

Romans 16:25-27 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith: To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen.

We are changed by obedience of faith, not by human effort.