Sanctification

  • Living in Christ’s Death

    Romans 5:1–5

    Have you been asleep to your sinfulness lately? In your prayers today, ask God to show you where the continuing cycle of sin and death is operating in your life. Then confess these things to Him, and appropriate His forgiveness ...Read More

  • Merging Activism and Quietism

    Are you an activist, rejecting God’s assistance—or a quietist, insisting that He is totally responsible for your spiritual progress or lack of it?Read More

  • Newness of Life (Part 1)

    Romans 6:5-7

    It is good for believers to take the measure of their progress in the Christian life. What were some of the sins that most troubled you before your conversion? Have you advanced in your ability to resist them? Remember that ...Read More

  • Newness of Life (Part 2)

    Romans 6:8-10

    In a sense, the Christian life is like the process of learning to ride a bicycle: You fall off a lot, but you have to get back on to learn. Yes, you will sin, but surrender is not an option ...Read More

  • Our Purpose

    Genesis 1:1-2:3

    If our original purpose is to shine forth God’s image to creation, then the importance of our obedience to His will takes on new significance. When our goodness and mercy align with His standards, we reveal His pure character ...Read More

  • Perfect Love

    1 John 4:17–18

    In commenting on this verse, John Calvin writes, “though fear is not wholly shaken off, yet when we flee to God as to a quiet harbor, safe and free from all danger of shipwreck and of tempests, fear is really ...Read More

  • Pressing on to the Mark

    Philippians 3:12–14

    Christians make true progress in their fight against sin over the course of their Christian lives. Yet, we continue to discover new sins we never saw before until we die, and our sin-clouded minds need help in knowing the Lord ...Read More

  • Producing Fruit

    God is at work within you. Are you cooperating?Read More

  • Pure Spiritual Milk

    1 Peter 2:1–3

    What is your response to the Word of God? Do you crave it with the hunger that a newborn infant has for his mother’s milk? Or are you indifferent, thinking that your study of Scripture does not really contribute ...Read More

  • Pushing Through Plateaus

    What steps can you take to institute a personal program of spiritual growth?Read More

  • Putting Sin to Death

    Colossians 3:5-6

    Understanding that we are already holy in Christ should not be confused with the perfectionism that we often see in other theological traditions. We will not be free from the struggle with sin before we are glorified, but knowing that ...Read More

  • Recalling Our Purpose

    Genesis 1:1–2:3

    We may not often think about it, but when we do good to others we are doing more than just obeying the Lord’s command. Since God is the one who pours out His common grace upon all creation, every ...Read More

  • Recieve With Meekness

    James 1:21

    Are you continually making an effort to receive the “implanted word” with meekness and humility? Are you being diligent with the tools that help you learn the Word of God such as Bible study and hearing the preached Word? Take ...Read More

  • Regeneration Is Permanent

    Philippians 1:6

    The permanency of our regeneration is something we must not take for granted. Knowing that we have been born again should motivate us to live out this truth by heeding the many warnings in Scripture against unbelief (Heb. 6:1 ...Read More

  • Rejecting False Assurances

    What is your response to the questions posed in this reading: Do you have the genuine faith necessary for salvation? Do you have a real affection for the biblical Christ? Does your life manifest the fruit of salvation? Read More