Progressive sanctification (Part 2)

Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). It is vital that one is intentional in absorbing as much of the Word as possible, with the prayer that the Spirit will open your ears and eyes in a spiritual transformative way (Romans 12:2). The Word is sharper than any two-edged sword and can cut to the very heart and root of the situation (Hebrews 4:12). Personally, a willing and open teachable spirit to the things of God is the place that has provided a perspective that continues to propel me toward the challenge of learning, even in difficult situation or those for which I set the ball rolling by choosing wrong. It is a place where I stop allowing my natural affliction and the knowledge that despite my best efforts I will always ‘miss the mark’ and fall short to be a crutch. Yet instead of this being an excuse to continue to indulge in the flesh, it shows me that He loves me even knowing that I’ll never perfectly act out my desire to live in perfect unity with His will consistently. It is the fuel that propels me to challenge myself to live in a way that honors Him and breaks my heart when I fall because He called me to so much more and He loves me, mess and all. I am thankful and grateful for the privilege of serving Him in any capacity, even if it is cleaning the toilets at people’s homes.

Through the Spirit, the Word, and a heart of love for Him who created me, I have noticed some progression over the last decade. I know the more you seek Him the more your own desires, wants, priorities change and continue to increasingly become strongly and more consistently line with God. The inner growth will manifest, and this is the progressive change; when it becomes more of a permanent personality transformation. We are New Creations in Christ Jesus. As that inner man develops, godly righteous character is the manifested result. Think of the growth of a baby from conception until old age, end of natural days. In the same pattern, we are progressively matured in Christ, brought to deeper understanding, and wisdom in application in our own lives fueled by an intense passion that rises from a deep place inside. Progressive sanctification continues to be most fruitful at the point of consistent submissive repentance.

I am learning that taking regular stock of one’s self, motives, intents of the heart, emotional, physical, mental state of being and using the Word of God as the Standard will provide many ways in which we can be contrite of heart, sorrowful for our yet unfinished sinful state, acknowledge that we are helpless without our Creator, and unable to fulfill the debt for our own sins. Thanking God for His Son, Praising and Worshiping the Son for giving His life and for His Blood that washes us clean. Accepting the covering of the Blood, being renewed and refreshed in the Spirit, and rededicating our will and choice to be led by the Spirit that wills and produces godly growth, equipping us to walk in the purpose for which we are called.