There are two works of grace that occur in the Christian. The first is what we may call “the grace of justification.” This is a once and for all work of God declaring us “righteous” or “just” as we receive Christ Jesus as our Savior. The other work of grace in the Christian we may call “the grace of sanctification” and has two aspects. Like justification, it is a declaration by God. The word “sanctify” means to “separate for a specific purpose.” The primary work of sanctification in the believer is a process; the process of becoming more and more like the Lord Jesus. It is strongly implied in today’s scripture and a truth carried throughout the New Testament. However, unlike justification, in the process of sanctification, we play a part; a huge part.
Ephesians 1:4b-8 – In love He predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which He has blessed us in the Beloved. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon…
John 16:12-14 – I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify…
Every Christian longs to please the Lord. We yearn to obey the Apostle Paul’s words, “Finally, then, brothers, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:1). Every day we should want to bring delight to the Lord in how we live, speak, and conduct ourselves in a godless world. And there are many ways we may do so. For today, I want us to focus on one of those ways. It is found in today’s scripture. We please the Lord and bring delight to His heart by living a life bathed in the spirit of thanksgiving.
Living a privatized Christian life is simply disobedience to the Lord. The church is God’s idea, not ours and He created it to be a living community in His Son for the purpose of us growing and doing His work together. He did not suggest our active and sacrificial participation in His church. He commanded and expects such participation from us. The pattern from the early church is still in place as the pattern for today’s church.
Pray for Open Doors Colossians 4:2-3 – Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Open doors can’t be taken for granted. Many missionaries work in countries that are difficult to access or…