When we say that we have “given our hearts to Christ” these are not idle words. He is going to move in and take ownership, and the first order of business is spring cleaning. Sanctification is not always a pleasant process. If we continue to walk with him, drinking in his Word and seeking his will, he is going to shine the light of his truth on the dark corners of our hearts. Lord, sanctify me by your truth! (Jn 17:17) I know I often resist you, but my heart of hearts truly desires to be conformed to your image. (Rom 8:29) Forgive me when I pull back. I have given my heart to you, and it is yours forever. Amen.
Showing posts with label sanctification. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sanctification. Show all posts
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Give Him Your Heart
The lamp of the Lord searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being. (Pro 20:27)
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Sunday Christians
My people come to you as they usually do, and sit before you to listen to your words, but they do not put them into practice. With their mouths they express devotion, but their hearts are greedy for unjust gain. (Ezek 33:31)
Ezekiel had quite a following among the Jewish exiles in Babylon. He was evidently well known, and could draw a crowd whenever he had a word from the Lord. You can even imagine that they lined up to shake his hand at the door. “Good sermon today, brother.” “Great word! You are so anointed!” “Thank you, pastor. I needed to hear that.” Fine words, but then they stepped out into the rest of their week and their lives were no different than the week before. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? We faithfully show up for church, we say the right things, but God knows our hearts. And, too often, what is in our hearts does not reflect the image we like to project on Sunday. Lord, when I come to worship you in church may I truly be broken before you. Convict me of the gap between my words and my deeds. May I drink your word deep into my soul and be restored by it. May I focus less on the outward activity of Sunday morning and be sensitive to the inner work you desire to do in me. Then may my heart be truly yours. Amen.
Ezekiel had quite a following among the Jewish exiles in Babylon. He was evidently well known, and could draw a crowd whenever he had a word from the Lord. You can even imagine that they lined up to shake his hand at the door. “Good sermon today, brother.” “Great word! You are so anointed!” “Thank you, pastor. I needed to hear that.” Fine words, but then they stepped out into the rest of their week and their lives were no different than the week before. Sounds familiar, doesn’t it? We faithfully show up for church, we say the right things, but God knows our hearts. And, too often, what is in our hearts does not reflect the image we like to project on Sunday. Lord, when I come to worship you in church may I truly be broken before you. Convict me of the gap between my words and my deeds. May I drink your word deep into my soul and be restored by it. May I focus less on the outward activity of Sunday morning and be sensitive to the inner work you desire to do in me. Then may my heart be truly yours. Amen.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Not So Clever
To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. (Pro 8:13)
What is it that I love so much about the sharp retort or the smart putdown? When I say these things that hurt others why do I feel good? This verse gives a hint – it is pride. My sinful nature thinks that the way to lift myself up is to put others down. And it works for a moment. I feel a momentary thrill from the clever putdown, but it is always followed by the icky feeling you get when you know you’ve done wrong. One of the most important things we need to do to live a righteous life is to bridle the tongue. (James 3:3) Lord, forgive me for hurting others with my tongue. Let my speech always be full of grace, seasoned with the salt of your truth. (Col 4:6) May my words not be barbs but blessings. Amen.
What is it that I love so much about the sharp retort or the smart putdown? When I say these things that hurt others why do I feel good? This verse gives a hint – it is pride. My sinful nature thinks that the way to lift myself up is to put others down. And it works for a moment. I feel a momentary thrill from the clever putdown, but it is always followed by the icky feeling you get when you know you’ve done wrong. One of the most important things we need to do to live a righteous life is to bridle the tongue. (James 3:3) Lord, forgive me for hurting others with my tongue. Let my speech always be full of grace, seasoned with the salt of your truth. (Col 4:6) May my words not be barbs but blessings. Amen.
Monday, December 13, 2010
Dragnet!
The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. (Gal 5:19-21)
The apostles seemed to go in for these long lists of sins. It’s like a dragnet – sweeping up every one of us in one way or another. When we read these lists, though, we seem to focus on the big sins, which is convenient because I don’t commit too many of those. I want to pat myself on the back because I stay away from orgies. But a second look at this list proves that I have little to boast about.
The apostles seemed to go in for these long lists of sins. It’s like a dragnet – sweeping up every one of us in one way or another. When we read these lists, though, we seem to focus on the big sins, which is convenient because I don’t commit too many of those. I want to pat myself on the back because I stay away from orgies. But a second look at this list proves that I have little to boast about.
It seems to me that this list divides rather neatly into three categories: the sensual, the spiritual and the social sins. The sensual sins are: sexual immorality, impurity, debauchery, drunkenness and orgies. These sins involve abuse of the body. The spiritual sins are idolatry and witchcraft. They involve a direct challenge to the supremacy of God. But the social sins involve disharmony between people. They are hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy. Ah, now here is a list that I cannot so easily absolve myself of! It is remarkable that this is also the longest list. And again, it is remarkable that Paul finds so many synonyms for “conflict”. These are the sins that so easily find their way into the church. While we are congratulating ourselves for avoiding the sensual and spiritual sins, we find our community riven with factions, disagreements and petty jealousies. We’re too spiritual to let them out in the open usually, but they subtly invade our speech. “Can you believe what he said?” “Did you see what she was wearing?”
When we examine ourselves carefully, we find that what Jesus said is true. We often can manage to control our outward appearance and behavior, but it is what's inside a man that makes him unclean. (Mt 15:18-19) And then I take a second look at the sensual and spiritual sins and find that, while I may be keeping my actions clean, I have not always kept my heart clean. Lord, bring conviction when my heart strays from you. Thank you for these verses that remind me how very far I am from your holiness. Teach me to walk in your ways. Amen
When we examine ourselves carefully, we find that what Jesus said is true. We often can manage to control our outward appearance and behavior, but it is what's inside a man that makes him unclean. (Mt 15:18-19) And then I take a second look at the sensual and spiritual sins and find that, while I may be keeping my actions clean, I have not always kept my heart clean. Lord, bring conviction when my heart strays from you. Thank you for these verses that remind me how very far I am from your holiness. Teach me to walk in your ways. Amen
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Clothed With Christ
Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature. (Rom 13:14)
Once again here is the principle of consciously deciding to focus our thoughts on Christ, as opposed to “immorality, debauchery, dissension and jealousy.” (v13) Paul gives us this beautiful image of how to do this: “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.” I want to be covered, enveloped, surrounded by Jesus. I want to take on his identity, his standard of beauty. I want people to look at me and see him. Lord, help me to clothe myself in you. Envelop both my thoughts and my actions with your truth and your glorious righteousness. Amen.
Once again here is the principle of consciously deciding to focus our thoughts on Christ, as opposed to “immorality, debauchery, dissension and jealousy.” (v13) Paul gives us this beautiful image of how to do this: “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ.” I want to be covered, enveloped, surrounded by Jesus. I want to take on his identity, his standard of beauty. I want people to look at me and see him. Lord, help me to clothe myself in you. Envelop both my thoughts and my actions with your truth and your glorious righteousness. Amen.
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Even You
So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you. (Pro 22:19)
Something struck me as funny today when I read this. “I teach you today, even you.” Yes, even you, Bill Hensley. In many ways I feel like the most unlikely of disciples. I suppose we all feel that way at times. I think, "Lord, you should find someone more talented, someone more dedicated." But isn't that the point? It’s not about me but about him. God is in the business of making disciples out of unlikely candidates – Simon the impulsive fisherman, Saul the persecutor of the church. Even their names were changed. Later Paul understood this principle clearly:
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (I Cor 1:26-27)
The unlikelier you are as a candidate for sainthood, the more glory God will receive when he transforms you into a vessel fit for his service. Lord, mold me and shape me to be the man you desire me to be. I yield to your Holy Spirit. I am yours. Amen.
Something struck me as funny today when I read this. “I teach you today, even you.” Yes, even you, Bill Hensley. In many ways I feel like the most unlikely of disciples. I suppose we all feel that way at times. I think, "Lord, you should find someone more talented, someone more dedicated." But isn't that the point? It’s not about me but about him. God is in the business of making disciples out of unlikely candidates – Simon the impulsive fisherman, Saul the persecutor of the church. Even their names were changed. Later Paul understood this principle clearly:
Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. (I Cor 1:26-27)
The unlikelier you are as a candidate for sainthood, the more glory God will receive when he transforms you into a vessel fit for his service. Lord, mold me and shape me to be the man you desire me to be. I yield to your Holy Spirit. I am yours. Amen.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The Long Way Around
It takes eleven days to go from Horeb to Kadesh Barnea by the Mount Seir road. (Deut 1:2)
It’s only an eleven day journey, but it took the Israelites forty years. Eleven days to walk that distance, and forty years to prepare their hearts. The forty year purification of those doubters and sinners in Israel is a metaphor for the lifelong process of my own sanctification, in which the doubts and sins must be slowly purged from my life. Why does it take so long? How can it take only a few days to learn the essentials of the faith and forty years to put them into practice? In less than a year it will have been forty years since I was saved. You’d think I’d be further along. For nearly half that time I wasn’t even walking with the Lord at all. But twenty years is still a long time. The answer is, I think, that the flesh dies slowly. One by one, the Israelites who sinned died off, and one by one my sinful attitudes and habits die off as well. Lord, thank you for your patience with me. I am glad that you can take the long view. I don’t think I would have been able to put up with me! But in your great love and wisdom you have patiently followed your plan for my life, slowly shaping me into the man you want me to be. I know you will finish what you have begun. Thank you. I yield to your guiding hand, as best as I am able. Have your way in me. Amen.
It’s only an eleven day journey, but it took the Israelites forty years. Eleven days to walk that distance, and forty years to prepare their hearts. The forty year purification of those doubters and sinners in Israel is a metaphor for the lifelong process of my own sanctification, in which the doubts and sins must be slowly purged from my life. Why does it take so long? How can it take only a few days to learn the essentials of the faith and forty years to put them into practice? In less than a year it will have been forty years since I was saved. You’d think I’d be further along. For nearly half that time I wasn’t even walking with the Lord at all. But twenty years is still a long time. The answer is, I think, that the flesh dies slowly. One by one, the Israelites who sinned died off, and one by one my sinful attitudes and habits die off as well. Lord, thank you for your patience with me. I am glad that you can take the long view. I don’t think I would have been able to put up with me! But in your great love and wisdom you have patiently followed your plan for my life, slowly shaping me into the man you want me to be. I know you will finish what you have begun. Thank you. I yield to your guiding hand, as best as I am able. Have your way in me. Amen.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Wisdom from Heaven
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)
I'd like to think of myself as wise, but am I pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere? That’s a tall order! That kind of wisdom doesn’t happen naturally. That kind of wisdom comes from heaven. And it doesn’t come all at once. It comes gradually over time as I immerse myself in God’s word and surrender my heart to his Holy Spirit. In truth, I still have a long way to go. We all do. This kind of wisdom is not head knowledge, it is heart training. I may know about God, but I have a long way to go to be conformed to his image. Lord, train my heart to embrace your wisdom, so that my life will be a reflection of who you are.
I'd like to think of myself as wise, but am I pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere? That’s a tall order! That kind of wisdom doesn’t happen naturally. That kind of wisdom comes from heaven. And it doesn’t come all at once. It comes gradually over time as I immerse myself in God’s word and surrender my heart to his Holy Spirit. In truth, I still have a long way to go. We all do. This kind of wisdom is not head knowledge, it is heart training. I may know about God, but I have a long way to go to be conformed to his image. Lord, train my heart to embrace your wisdom, so that my life will be a reflection of who you are.
Friday, October 8, 2010
The Secret to Sanctification
It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect. (Ps 18:32)
We make much of obedience, and rightly so. Sanctification is the process of being conformed to his image and obedient to his will. But we must not forget that it is God who sanctifies us. It is the Holy Spirit who gives me strength to face each challenge and trains me in righteousness. The secret to sanctification is utter dependence on him.
We make much of obedience, and rightly so. Sanctification is the process of being conformed to his image and obedient to his will. But we must not forget that it is God who sanctifies us. It is the Holy Spirit who gives me strength to face each challenge and trains me in righteousness. The secret to sanctification is utter dependence on him.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Water, Spirit and Fire
I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me will come one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. (Mt 3:11)
Baptism with water is for cleansing. When we repent we are baptized with water and symbolically the guilt of our sins is washed away. Jews in biblical times practiced this ritual cleansing regularly. John the Baptist connected it with repentance and made it a foreshadowing of the Messiah’s saving work. But John also said that the one who comes after him would baptize with the Spirit and with fire. The removal of guilt of sin doesn't change who we are. I will just sin again tomorrow. But the baptism with the Holy Spirit represents our empowerment by the Spirit, and the baptism of fire is sanctification. God’s plan for us is far more than just the removal of guilt. He wants to transform and empower us for his glory and the work of his kingdom. If we stop with water baptism we will never fulfill God’s purpose in saving us. We must go on to sanctification and a life lived in his service by the power of his Holy Spirit.
Baptism with water is for cleansing. When we repent we are baptized with water and symbolically the guilt of our sins is washed away. Jews in biblical times practiced this ritual cleansing regularly. John the Baptist connected it with repentance and made it a foreshadowing of the Messiah’s saving work. But John also said that the one who comes after him would baptize with the Spirit and with fire. The removal of guilt of sin doesn't change who we are. I will just sin again tomorrow. But the baptism with the Holy Spirit represents our empowerment by the Spirit, and the baptism of fire is sanctification. God’s plan for us is far more than just the removal of guilt. He wants to transform and empower us for his glory and the work of his kingdom. If we stop with water baptism we will never fulfill God’s purpose in saving us. We must go on to sanctification and a life lived in his service by the power of his Holy Spirit.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Rooted in Christ
So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. (Col 2:6-7)
A great picture of sanctification! It reminds me of Psalm 1, which compares the righteous man to a tree planted by streams of water. I picture that tree with its roots sunk deep into the living water, growing tall and strong. Lord, make me like that tree!
A great picture of sanctification! It reminds me of Psalm 1, which compares the righteous man to a tree planted by streams of water. I picture that tree with its roots sunk deep into the living water, growing tall and strong. Lord, make me like that tree!
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Live by the Spirit
So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. (Gal 5:16)
The Holy Spirit is the key. This verse echoes Romans 8. “The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Rom 8:6 NASB) The message in both places is that the flesh is corrupt and draws us away from God, but the Holy Spirit who dwells in us will empower us to live a righteous life if we turn our hearts and minds to Him.
The Holy Spirit is the key. This verse echoes Romans 8. “The mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Rom 8:6 NASB) The message in both places is that the flesh is corrupt and draws us away from God, but the Holy Spirit who dwells in us will empower us to live a righteous life if we turn our hearts and minds to Him.
Friday, September 3, 2010
Slowly But Surely
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Rom 12:2a)
Toward this end, one very practical thing I can do is to devote myself daily to prayer and reading God’s Word. Another is in verse 1, “offer your bodies as living sacrifices.” I daily pray a prayer of surrender. And as many times during the day as my mind snaps back to it, I confess my love and service to him again. These are the very practical disciplines which I was taught in the One on One discipleship study. It is sometimes disheartening to me that I am so far from being the man of God that I aspire to be. Yet I believe and trust that slowly, almost imperceptibly, as I faithfully execute these daily disciplines I am being molded into that man of God. I know his word will not come back void, nor his Spirit fail to move.
Toward this end, one very practical thing I can do is to devote myself daily to prayer and reading God’s Word. Another is in verse 1, “offer your bodies as living sacrifices.” I daily pray a prayer of surrender. And as many times during the day as my mind snaps back to it, I confess my love and service to him again. These are the very practical disciplines which I was taught in the One on One discipleship study. It is sometimes disheartening to me that I am so far from being the man of God that I aspire to be. Yet I believe and trust that slowly, almost imperceptibly, as I faithfully execute these daily disciplines I am being molded into that man of God. I know his word will not come back void, nor his Spirit fail to move.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
Reflecting His Glory
And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Cor 3:18)
The veil which blinded us to Christ has been removed, and we now reflect his glory, as Moses’ face reflected God’s glory coming down from Mt. Sinai. So we have already been transformed – we already reflect the Lord’s glory. But wait, there’s more! The transformation – the sanctification – continues and we continue to become more like him. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. It is not something we can do, but God alone. Our part is to yield, to receive. Lord, teach me to yield. Thank you that my sanctification does not depend on my strength. Thank you that you are faithful. I will follow you, and let you do your work in me. Amen.
The veil which blinded us to Christ has been removed, and we now reflect his glory, as Moses’ face reflected God’s glory coming down from Mt. Sinai. So we have already been transformed – we already reflect the Lord’s glory. But wait, there’s more! The transformation – the sanctification – continues and we continue to become more like him. This is the work of the Holy Spirit. It is not something we can do, but God alone. Our part is to yield, to receive. Lord, teach me to yield. Thank you that my sanctification does not depend on my strength. Thank you that you are faithful. I will follow you, and let you do your work in me. Amen.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
How to Stand Firm
Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. (2 Cor 1:21)
There is nothing I can do in my own flesh to live the Christian life. It is only God’s Spirit indwelling, directing and empowering me that will produce a life of godliness.
There is nothing I can do in my own flesh to live the Christian life. It is only God’s Spirit indwelling, directing and empowering me that will produce a life of godliness.
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Through and Through
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. (I Thes 5:23-24)
Paul prayed for the Thessalonians’ sanctification, and he gave them a promise that God is faithful and he will do it. God doesn’t just call us and leave it at that. He has a plan for us. He intends to “keep us blameless” until his coming. Will we never sin? No, but our sins are covered. We have full assurance of salvation, and ultimately sanctification. Lord, I’m so glad you will never give up on me. I’m so glad I will one day be fully sanctified. I pray that in this life I will be “sanctified through and through” to your glory and for your service. Amen.
Paul prayed for the Thessalonians’ sanctification, and he gave them a promise that God is faithful and he will do it. God doesn’t just call us and leave it at that. He has a plan for us. He intends to “keep us blameless” until his coming. Will we never sin? No, but our sins are covered. We have full assurance of salvation, and ultimately sanctification. Lord, I’m so glad you will never give up on me. I’m so glad I will one day be fully sanctified. I pray that in this life I will be “sanctified through and through” to your glory and for your service. Amen.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Shine for the Lord
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. (Pr 17:3)
God will test us, and the implication is that it will get pretty hot. In that same metaphor is also a suggestion of his purpose: to refine and purify us, and finally to mold the purified raw material into a vessel both beautiful and useful to him. Some of the glory of the temple was in its gold and silver furnishings, and God allows us to reflect his glory in the same way.
God will test us, and the implication is that it will get pretty hot. In that same metaphor is also a suggestion of his purpose: to refine and purify us, and finally to mold the purified raw material into a vessel both beautiful and useful to him. Some of the glory of the temple was in its gold and silver furnishings, and God allows us to reflect his glory in the same way.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Sins of Omission
Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. (James 4:17)
I am guilty of both sins of commission and sins of omission. Sometimes it seems that the sins of omission are the more difficult. Lord, help me to be bold, determined and steadfast. I want to be your true servant and not a passive observer. Mold me and shape me into a true man of God.
I am guilty of both sins of commission and sins of omission. Sometimes it seems that the sins of omission are the more difficult. Lord, help me to be bold, determined and steadfast. I want to be your true servant and not a passive observer. Mold me and shape me into a true man of God.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Touch Me, Lord
Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said, “Be clean.” (Mk 1:41)
A couple of weeks ago I encountered this thought in the Old Testament. Here it is a again in the New. When Jesus touched the leper he was immediately clean. Normally, if something that is dirty touches something that is clean, the thing that is clean becomes dirty, but the thing that is dirty doesn’t become clean. In the law, if you touched a leper you became ceremonially unclean. And in fact, if a well person touches a sick person they may become sick, but the sick person does not become well. Jesus took this well-established principle and turned it on its head. When he touched the sick they became well! When he touches the sinner we become clean! In the same way that light drives out darkness, his purity drives out impurity. Lord, you have washed away my sins in salvation. I pray by your cleansing touch you would sanctify me as well. Touched by your purity may I become pure. As I continue to seek you I pray that you would continue to mold me into your likeness. Amen.
A couple of weeks ago I encountered this thought in the Old Testament. Here it is a again in the New. When Jesus touched the leper he was immediately clean. Normally, if something that is dirty touches something that is clean, the thing that is clean becomes dirty, but the thing that is dirty doesn’t become clean. In the law, if you touched a leper you became ceremonially unclean. And in fact, if a well person touches a sick person they may become sick, but the sick person does not become well. Jesus took this well-established principle and turned it on its head. When he touched the sick they became well! When he touches the sinner we become clean! In the same way that light drives out darkness, his purity drives out impurity. Lord, you have washed away my sins in salvation. I pray by your cleansing touch you would sanctify me as well. Touched by your purity may I become pure. As I continue to seek you I pray that you would continue to mold me into your likeness. Amen.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Intentional Sanctification
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O Lord. (Ps 89:15)
This is something that has to be learned. It is the process of sanctification, and it is intentional. Through long practice I learn to acknowledge God and praise him all day long, and to be aware of his presence and actively led by him. I learn to be yielded to his Holy Spirit throughout the day.
This is something that has to be learned. It is the process of sanctification, and it is intentional. Through long practice I learn to acknowledge God and praise him all day long, and to be aware of his presence and actively led by him. I learn to be yielded to his Holy Spirit throughout the day.
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