Issue 826 – It Takes Time – August 15, 2022
Yesterday we took a drive in the country. With no particular destination in mind, we came to an intersection where we usually make a right turn and turned left instead. Travelling down Dewdney Trunk Road towards Maple Ridge, we saw a sign for Cliff Falls. Of course, we had to stop and check it out.
It was a wise decision. We found a delightful park that we had no idea existed. The falls aren’t much more than a trickle, but they have carved some incredible caves and holes in the sandstone cliffs. Many of the pools appear very deep, and plenty of people were swimming in them despite the clearly marked fence warning people not to. We will go back in the spring when the water is higher.
The remarkable sandstone features result from the water action over many years. There are numerous perfectly round holes where a rock has been caught and swirled around in a circle, gradually wearing away the stone underneath. It takes time.
In the same way, our spiritual growth and sanctification as Christians take time. Sometimes, the Lord makes significant changes in us all at once. I know people who were delivered from lifelong patterns of sin immediately on conversion. Others will struggle a lifetime to get the victory.
He designed each of us and knows what we need to be conformed into the image of His son.
As soon as we become believers, our sins are forgiven, and Holy Spirit Moves in. That is the moment of justification.
The balance of our time here on earth is spent in the process of being made more like Jesus, more holy. That is the process of sanctification.
The work of God sanctifies us, but our faith walk is not passive. We are called to active trust and obedience.
Since we have these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1
We cannot presume on God’s grace, we are called to make our calling sure.
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. 2 Peter 1:5-10
Our salvation and sanctification are by God’s grace alone, yet we participate. Our works do not determine the outcome.
If you are like me, you are not nearly as holy as you want to be. We continue to move forward, doing what we can and trusting in Jesus. There are lots of moments of returning to the cross for forgiveness.
Yet, I can trust that since God is sovereign over all things, He will complete the process He has begun in me. I’m not where I want to be, but I am far from what I was. It takes time.
In the words of the apostle Paul
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. It is right for me to feel this way about you all, because I hold you n my heart, for you are all partakers with me of grace, both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel. Philippians 1:6-7
Hold fast, my friends and rejoice in the process.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Be blessed.
Kevin.
Gleanings From The Word.
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (for the glory of God alone.)
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