Sanctification – Philippians 3:13-14
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Sometimes I wonder if I have made any progress toward becoming like Christ. I perform some egregious offense, such as hurling an angry remark at the unfortunate soul who, having crossed my path that day, fails to meet my immediate need, and I find myself ashamed to admit I am a Christian.
By God’s grace, I no longer luxuriate in the brilliance of my retort nor bore whoever will listen as I justify my anger. After too many years of rationalizing rude and self-centered behavior, I have come to acknowledge to myself that any unkindness, regardless of the provocation, is sinful. As I strive to walk by the Spirit,[1] I am gaining the spiritual vision to observe my sin in all of its ugliness, and I am learning not to attempt to disguise it as strength or virtue, often in time to immediately ask forgiveness and partially redeem the situation.
At times, after a breach of kindness, a sense of helplessness to change follows the Spirit’s conviction of my sin. Frustration with myself causes me to hold back from confessing my transgression and from asking for the Lord’s forgiveness. It seems like hypocrisy to confess the same sins confessed hundreds, even thousands, of times before, but this too is sin, for it comes from pride. In truth, I need not lose hope, for my failures will not wear the Lord down. Blessedly, God loves me exactly where I am on my journey along the Highway of Holiness. As I confess my sins, He is faithful, not only to forgive them and to cleanse me from unrighteousness[2] but also to encourage me to strive toward greater maturity and perfection in Christ.[3]
Therefore, as one armed with the Word of Truth, press on even though entrenched sins may be beleaguering you. Refuse to allow discouragement to weaken your resolve. Trade your sins for Jesus’ gentle, faithful, righteous disposition, and remember that if the great apostle Paul did the things he hated and cried out in his wretchedness, wondering who would save him from his body of death,[4] we too can accept our spiritual frailty.
Recognize your spiritual transformation is God’s job,[5] not yours, and trust Him with your rough edges while keeping short accounts with Him when you fail. Strive for higher ground, and you will find the Lord faithful. He will continue to make your path smooth as He transforms you ever closer to His likeness.[6]
I wander in this wilderness
No answer comes to my distress
My heart feels lost, adrift in sin
I know not where I might begin
To find my way back to the path
I left behind on self’s behalf
For I can find no water where
At a mirage, I stand and stare
How could I be so quickly lured
Away from Him whom I adored
How could I be so badly lost
Why had I counted not the cost
So cries my heart, “Lord, help me
Bring me back beside the sea
Where water runs to quench my thirst
Beside the One whom I loved first
“Help me, Lord, to find the way
Back to You this very day
And help me, Lord, to set my eyes
Upon the heavens and the skies
“That nothing could drag me again
Back to this desert where I’ve been
Away from You, sick and alone
Where day’s true light has never shone
“Bring me back; forgive me, Lord
That I might tread upon Your shore
In joy, and peace, and hope, and grace
Safely within Your holy place”
[1] Galatians 5:25
[2] 1 John 1:9
[3] Hebrews 6:1-2
[4] Romans 7:14-15, 24-25
[5] 2 Corinthians 1:21-22
[6] 1 Corinthians 1:8
