Tag Archives: sanctification

Training or Trying?

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Congratulations to the WA 1B State Champs―again! Their win marks five consecutive state championships. Although they possess much athletic talent, anyone who observes this team knows their success is crowned through their commitment to train.

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DISCIPLINE … TIME … SACRIFICE.

A discipline is something you do even when you don’t feel like it. These girls played 80-plus games each summer. Their time spent practicing has resulted in smooth, automatic teamwork during pressured game situations. They are a lot of fun to watch.

I don’t know of an easy road to success. Consistent, hard work of correct training builds a strong framework in any arena, including spiritual growth. The apostle Paul admonishes us to train ourselves to be godly.

Godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.”   – 1Timothy 4:7-8

How do we grow spiritually and pursue God’s holiness? Although God is never limited, He uses the following three things:

Circumstances – We will have trials. But …

In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him … to be conformed to the image of His Son.” – Romans 8:28-29

Relationships – (Hebrews 10:24-25)

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”   –  Proverbs 27:17

Spiritual Disciplines – Our growth isn’t automatic (Philippians 2:12). Our growth is:

  • intentional and incremental
  • personal and seasonal
  • relational and practical

What are the training habits of spiritual growth?

  •  PRAYER – Mark 1:35
  •   SCRIPTURE – Matthew 4:4
  •   INTENTIONAL RELATIONSHIPS – Mark 3:14
  •   FAITH – Matthew 9:29

God calls us to surrender to Him in order that we might become the person He desires. I love that, although we are told to “take up our cross and follow Christ” (Mark 8:34), His yoke is easy and His burden light (Matthew 11:30). And the blessings of being in Christ far outweigh being “out of Christ.”

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” – Matthew 5:5

Meek simply means to be under God’s control.

The following video shows a horse trainer taming a wild mustang, a great illustration of God’s gentleness and patience as He works with us and within us.

Have a wonderful week!

KD

*This post article is also posted in the Gospel Blog by FEBC at http://bit.ly/111JDXr.

Who Am I?

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What was I writing? … oh yeah, forgetfulness.

The other night I raked through my bathroom drawer looking for my headband, (to keep my hair back when washing my face.) Where in the world is it? Then I glanced in the mirror. Oh brother, when did I slip that on? I really don’t have memory loss―or do I? I admit, however, to occasional absentmindedness.

Ah, forgetfulness…

Remember the movie, Home Alone?

c56a17f1fd3a81af4cfb8077a6d1ea6dThankfully, I haven’t forgotten my kids on a family vacation. However, I can relate to frenzied Mom moments. Busyness, multitasking, and/or juggling hats only intensifies the craziness. That’s when I ask … who am I?

I know better than to let my feelings dictate my identity. For they come and go like the winter fog. I don’t want to settle for people’s opinions that change like the wind. And I refuse to listen to Satan’s accusations.

So, who am I in Christ?

In Christ …

I am chosen (Romans 8:30; Ephesians 1:4-6; 1 Peter 2:9):

  • Hand-picked by God
  • Adopted as His child
  • Called and purposed for salvation, even though I don’t deserve it

I am called to a holy life (2 Timothy 1:9):

  • Because of God’s purpose and grace before the world began

God’s call on the believer’s life results in abundant blessing. I’m all for God’s blessings, aren’t you? Here are some more benefits for the believer in Christ:

  • I am blessed with every spiritual blessing (Eph. 1:3).
  • I am holy, blameless, and covered in God’s love (Eph. 1:4).
  • I am forgiven (Eph. 1:7).560ebc9fada38635237e35db3f9b9761
  • I am marked as belonging to God by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13).
  • I have been raised up to sit with Christ in glory (Eph. 2:6).
  • I am God’s work of art (Eph. 2:10) … wow!

Paul prayed that God would enlighten the eyes of (our) hearts so (we) may know the hope to which He has called (us), the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people.”     -Ephesians 1:18

If you―like me―forget who you are, look in the mirror and remember WHOSE YOU ARE. Here’s another great song by Casting Crowns, Who Am I? You can view it at this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7gfTYyLEHg.

Remember–you are blessed,

K. D.

Take Heart

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“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”  – Romans 6:2

At one of our girls’ Varsity basketball games, the fans joined the team in wearing red shirts that read:

“You must be sick and tired of being sick and tired.”

Although the shirts referred to heart disease, I imagined the apostle Paul saying:

“You must be sick and tired of being chained to sin!”

As my family went cross country skiing last weekend, the Lord reminded me:

“If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins … who could stand?”    -Psalm 130:3

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With the snow reflecting the sun’s brightness, He also reminded me:

 “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.”  – Isaiah 1:18

Because God alone is without sin, He alone can help us with our sin. God is not only holy, but also a gentleman. He never forces Himself in relationship with anyone. He does, however, long to forgive and comfort instead of punish us as our sins deserve (Romans 6:23). I am so thankful He is quick to forgive (1 John 1:9).

I used to be a mess (Romans 7), but now I am complete in Christ because of His perfect work.

Christ removed sin, which barred us from God’s presence and fellowship. We are justified, no longer guilty, when we accept His sacrifice through faith. God justifies―“just as if I never sinned”―through His Son’s blood shed on the cross. And, when Christ returns, He will make His children perfect (Philippians 1:6; Colossians 2:9-10; Hebrews 10:14). Now that’s reason to shout, “hallelujah!”

I love Big Daddy Weave’s song, Redeemed. You can view it on YouTube at:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJ4jOX6f_1s.

Thanks for journeying with me.

God Bless,

K.D.

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Separation Anxiety or Assurance?

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“Just jump,” my husband told me. But the water looked a LONG way down. And what if I belly flopped? Finally, I pushed past my fear and leaped.  Needless to say, I was hooked. The joy of plunging into Lake Roosevelt from the top of the houseboat soon replaced my fear of heights.

Bible study can be like this, daunting at first, especially with long “Christianeze” terms. But it’s important to learn, especially for those who desire to become more Christlike. Also, it’s the only way to sift truth from various teachings. So I encourage you to regularly explore the Bible. It’s worth the time and effort.

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Image courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Sanctification signifies separation to God. What does this mean? Herbert Lockyer writes:

“Sanctify” is one of the words related to “consecrate,” and suggests not only a separation from but unto: Separated from sin unto salvation, from works unto grace, from hell unto heaven. It implies a purging from sin or the old leaven (1 Corinthians 5:7) and stands for a renewing (Romans 12:2). Thus a sanctified one is not only washed from sin, but adorned with purity.”

Positional sanctification is the privilege of everyone who has accepted Christ. We have been set apart by and for God. We are sanctified the moment of our regeneration* (Philippians 1:1). Jesus became sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God, (2 Corinthians 5:21). Through trust in Christ, we make an exchange―our sin for His righteousness. Our sin was poured into Christ at His crucifixion. As the risen One on high, He is the Object presented to the soul. He is our sanctification (1 Corinthians 6:11). His righteousness is poured into us at our conversion. Jesus becomes our holiness and redemption as we are spiritually reborn. We (believers) have a living hope through Christ’s resurrection (1 Peter 1:3). Christ now lives in us through His Holy Spirit, (John 14:16-17).

*See definitions for words in red below.

I don’t know about you, but I have to let that soak in for a while …

If Jesus is the object of our sanctification, what do you think we―His children/believers―are objects of? What about the person who hasn’t received Christ as their Lord? What is he/she an object of? If you are in Christ, how or when did you receive Him as your Savior? How has He made a difference in your life?

Have a wonderful week!

K.D.

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Consecrate – To set apart or devote to God.

Regeneration – spiritual renewal or revival; rebirthed

Conversion – to bring over from one belief, view, or party to another

Redemption – to buy back; repurchase; to rescue (often from sin) with a ransom

Resurrection – rising from the dead

*This article is also posted in the Gospel Blog by FEBC at http://bit.ly/15zZHep

Sank-a-what?

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Sanc·ti·fi·ca·tion: noun, sounds like “saŋ(k)-tə-fə-ˈkā-shən” … not to be confused with “sank·a·va·ca·tion,” which sounds more like my daughter’s interpretation.

(This post article is also posted in the Gospel Blog by FEBC at http://bit.ly/13vG5Iy.)

I don’t pretend to be a theologian or philosopher. But I am a curious learner who wants―needs―to know how God’s truths work in daily, practical matters. So to make this concept clearer, I consulted Strong’s Greek Dictionary of the New Testament.

The translated Greek word Hagiasmos is associated with purity and holiness. It signifies (1) separation to God (1 Corinthians 1:30; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Peter 1:2), and (2) the resultant state, the conduct befitting those so separated (1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, 7), (3) it is translated “holiness” in Romans 6:19, 22; 1 Thessalonians 4:7; 1 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 12:14, (4) Sanctification is thus the state predetermined by God for believers, into which in grace He calls them, and in which they begin their Christian course and so pursue it. (5) Hence they are called “saints.”

“Saints”―really? Now that’s a difficult concept for me to wrap my head around. I’m very aware of the times I mess up and sin. How can a holy God view someone like me as a saint?

God reminds me: I can’t live the Christian life by my own efforts. Sanctification/holiness results solely from His Holy Spirit working in my life. I do have a choice, however, whether I grow or regress in my Christian journey.

For my next five posts, under the category Sanctification, I plan to dig deeper into the five areas listed above. Will you join me? I hope we can learn together.

What are your views and/or experiences on sanctification?