I’m not a big fan of process; I like instant results. Unfortunately, God’s timing seems a process to us. It’s a long, narrow road that isn’t always easy to follow.
Becoming a Christian is quick and simple. When we become believers, our sins are forgiven, the Holy Spirit moves in, we are justified and have the imputed righteousness of Christ.
Becoming Christ-like, that is, the process of sanctification, is a lifelong process. It’s the day-by-day, moment-by-moment choices that lead us to be made like Jesus.
One source describes it this way: “Sanctification is the process by which believers are set apart for God’s purposes and are progressively transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ. It is a work of God’s grace that begins at the moment of salvation and continues throughout the believer’s life. Sanctification involves both a definitive aspect, where believers are positionally sanctified in Christ, and a progressive aspect, where they grow in holiness and obedience.”
It’s easy to get frustrated along the way and quit. We face the challenges of temptation and sin. Sometimes, it’s just plain hard work, and progress seems slow.
C. S. Lewis wrote about the student who is tempted to quit his Bible reading because he hasn’t been perfectly consistent with it:
“No, he doesn’t quit. You don’t expect to see a drastic change overnight. But he continues to work at it. Some days he misses. Occasionally, he makes sinful choices that really set him back. But he stumbles along, developing the skill of Bible reading and getting better and better at it. After a week nothing looks that different. After a month, you can kind of tell. After a semester, there’s noticeable change. After 5 years, he’s unrecognizable. Have you been struggling? Are you tempted to give up? Don’t do it. Get back and try it again. Little by little, “you are turning the central part of you…into something a little different from what it was before” (C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity).
There must be a purpose in the process, or God would have just skipped it altogether. His goal in the process is laid out clearly in Paul’s writings.
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose. Because those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers; and those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified; and those whom He justified, He also glorified. Romans 8:28-30
It can be a long journey. It’s going to take our entire life to get there. When we do arrive, what a time that will be. We will have been fully sanctified – set apart for God, made Christ-like, and be ready for life ever after with the one who loved us enough to die for us.
Press on, my weary companions. Keep your eye on the prize. When you fall, get back up.
It will be worth every moment of struggle, hardship and effort.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)
Kevin
You might also like “Profound Change: The Journey to New Creation“
SUMMARY
Salvation happens in a moment, but becoming Christ-like is a lifelong process of sanctification that God uses purposefully to conform us to the image of His Son. Though the journey is slow and hard, it is worth every struggle — press on.
TAKEAWAY
Justification is instantaneous; sanctification is progressive and lifelong
God has a purpose in the process — conforming believers to the image of Christ (Romans 8:28-30)
Falling short is not the end; the call is to get back up and keep pressing forward.
You might also enjoy, “Right belief must become right living.”
