Today is the Day of Salvation:
In 2 Cor. 6:2 it says, "Today is the day of salvation". Evangelists often use this truth to emphasize not procrastinating when it comes to making the decision to repent and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Today is not only the day to establish a salvation relationship with Christ it's also the day to experience that salvation effecting ever area of our lives.

Our new position "In Christ" determines our destiny. It's great to have this blood bought future! But what about the "Here and Now"! How does our new position effect our every living. The journey of life is important. Some make the mistake of using Jesus as fire escape, thinking that all there is to Christianity is heaven. Well heaven is our future home for sure but until then how live is vital. It's during this time on earth that we are the experience our growth into spiritual maturity. It's during the "Here and Now" that Jesus is to Rule and Reign in our lives.

More important than "knowing about God" is having that knowledge applied to our every day living. Having been positioned "In Christ" and having had Jesus positioned "In us" opens to us the pathway to Christ-likeness.

Now is the Time For Christ-likeness:
I've purposely chosen to give a Scripture from three various translations. Each one says the same thing in a little different way. I'm doing this for the purpose of confirmation. Let look at them and see what is being said.
(NIV) 1 John 4:17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him.
(NLT) 1 John 4:17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we are like Christ here in this world.
(NKJV) 1 John 4:17 Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world.
Why doesn't God just task us straight to heaven when we get saved? Because; now is the time, to have Christ-likeness dominate our lives. It's a big mistake to assume that all the changes will take place when we get to heaven. Yes there are some things we'll never experience until the final redemption of our physical bodies at the second coming of Jesus Christ. But until then God is at work in our lives.
Col. 3:5-10 - So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual sin, impurity, lust, and shameful desires. Don't be greedy for the good things of this life, for that is idolatry. 6 Gods terrible anger will come upon those who do such things. 7 You used to do them when your life was still part of this world. 8 ¶ But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. 9 Don't lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old evil nature and all its wicked deeds. 10 In its place you have clothed yourselves with a brand-new nature that is continually being renewed as you learn more and more about Christ, who created this new nature within you.

Have you ever asked yourself the question; "What's it all really about". I'm not sure I understand fully what it's all about, but this I do know, God wants to live the "Jesus Life" in me now. He wants the old self gone in me and the new self living in the power of the resurrected Christ in my life NOW! This is not something we should wait for in heaven this something God is doing in the "here and now".

Observe the "Ways of God"
Its interesting to note that when it comes to the old and new self there are Scripture references that give the impression that its all history; "the old has gone and the new has come" and others giving the impression of present personal involvement; you must put off the old self and put on the new self. Is there a contradiction? What are we to believe? Is it a done deal or not? What we observe here is God calling some as done from His perspective yet something yet to be manifest in the practical. Remember how it was for Israel and Canaan Land. God told the it was their land. He saw it as a "done deal" all that was required was for Israel to walk it out in obedience to the Word of God. Romans 4:17 … the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were. (NIV)

The challenge is to see it and believe the way God does. This is to receive His vision. As we submit to Him, trusting in His ability to bring into being what He has said. While Abraham was 100 years old he had unable to father any children yet he believed God. What transpired is an example of what God will do as we live in agreement with Him.

We will see Christ-likeness in our lives as we choose to listen to God rather than listening to the enemy voices of doubt. Nothing is impossible for God. It's not about our ability to change our selves into the "Jesus Life"! Its all about the "Jesus Life" being released in us by His power! That power resides with Christ who resides in us!

2P.1:2-5 May God bless you with his special favor and wonderful peace as you come to know Jesus, our God and Lord, better and better. 3 As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness! 4 And by that same mighty power, he has given us all of his rich and wonderful promises. He has promised that you will escape the decadence all around you caused by evil desires and that you will share in his divine nature. 5 ¶ So make every effort to apply the benefits of these promises to your life. Then your faith will produce a life of moral excellence. A life of moral excellence leads to knowing God better.
Remember God calls things done that we may not be presently experiencing. Just because its not happening right now does not nullify the truth. God has established the truth! It is forever settled in heaven. Now what needs to happen on our part is for us to start moving into the promises of God. We start doing that by first believing its possible!
Prayer Suggestion:Father in heaven; thanks for sharing your vision of how you see me. When the enemy speaks his lies of discouragement help me believe you! All things are possible Father, because of who you are and you have the ability and the desire to bring me into Christ-likeness. I want what you want for my life now! In Jesus name, Amen