God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV)
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 (NIV)
Jesus came to this earth not only to reconcile us to God but also to demonstrate perfect manhood to us - how we are to live through His power and for His glory and for our good. He was humanity in perfection – Adam before the fall – before sin entered in - as well as, of course, very God of very God. Fully God and fully man. And He came into the world to demonstrate to man what God had always intended man to be. When sin entered the world, man was no longer able to walk in a manner worthy of the Gospel – he lacked the power. Satan fears no flesh. We are no match for the great adversary in and of ourselves.
Jesus came to both redeem and restore us to our true humanity. We are His. We are to do as He did, speak as He spoke, walk as He walked - all done through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. We are to be His hands, His feet, and His words to others. This is called sanctification. God never intended for us to remain the same. When we come to Christ Jesus we are a new creation – the old has gone the new has come. This is the highest measure of regeneration done in our lives and is accomplished through God as we relinquish our stubborn wills to Him.
Sanctification takes us back, returning us to our point of departure – transforming us into the image of Jesus in ever increasing measure. It is what we were created to be. We are to express this divine life to others – to manifest God – so that the whole world will know Him. God loves all the world not merely a select few. Certainly we want to be used for the purpose we were created for. And that my dear friends is to be like our Master.
It is God's will that you should be sanctified. 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (NIV)
Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:15-18 (NIV)