We, as believers in Jesus Christ, are new creatures in Him (II Cor 5:17) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Colossians 1:15 - “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:”
We are citizens of Heaven, not of the earth; we are here as children of GOD to bring the lost sheep into the fold.
Recently when going through great spiritual warfare; as God was showing me His will for this particular situation, I began searching for the reasons why. During the course of this search for answers I went to familiar websites (Christian) seeking answers through known others of like mindedness. I began reading the doctrinal statement of a certain mission organization that I was familiar with and came upon a statement that said they “believe in progressive sanctification.” That prompted me to seek and search and pray through God’s Word. Finally after many days, it made sense to me.
You see, I knew the scriptures as far as being “sanctified” set apart, and holy in first coming to Christ. I remember being a newborn babe in Him. All kinds of thots came to my mind because of the many teachings and beliefs out there - that I knew - as Christ has kept me, seemed to lack.
Some of the verses the Lord reminded me of through His word: Romans 8:29 - “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.” This verse is often not joined with verse 8:28. Years ago I started putting the two together as I committed these to memory for later use.
As the battle of flesh and spirit is a constant in the new life - we are on the frontlines - those of us who decide to follow Jesus in every decision , every task, whatever he has called us to, until He calls us home or the rapture takes place.
Not that we will ever arrive as long as we have feet of clay, but as a new creature in Jesus, he is our Master, Saviour, Guide and Friend. Only as we stay yielded to His will and His way for our life can we “grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”
So, “progressive sanctification” is no longer a question in my mind. We grow more like Jesus each new day God allows, as we follow after His ways.
Scripture verses from KJV
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