LukePerstrope.com

Transitions are awkward. You’re moving from one thing to the next. They make you feel uncomfortable, stuck between the old and the new.

As Christians, we’re in a transition. We are being conformed to the likeness of Christ from our life of ungodliness. Along that journey, we can become discouraged as we fail to make desired progress in our spiritual life. In those times, we look forward to the hope of sanctification.

7 reasons I’m encouraged about my sanctification (and you should be too)

[1] God sanctifies me apart from my active action when I pray for sanctification, wait for him, and trust Him – “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)

[2] God sanctifies me through my active action when I abstain from immorality, strive for holiness, and war against the flesh – “For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” (Romans 8:13)

[3] God is not responsible for my lack of sanctification – “Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.” (James 1:13)

[4] God deserves the credit for my spiritual growth – “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

[5] God is continuing to sanctify me – “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6)

[6] God will completely sanctify my spirit upon death – “We know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is” (1 John 3:2)

[7] God will glorify my body upon Christ’s return – “To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” (Colossians 1:27)