Sanctification

  • 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

  • Genuine Conversion

    2 Corinthians 5:17

    The way to life is the way of death—death to sin and self. Only if we first die to sin can we be raised to new life and become new creatures in Christ. This happens decisively at conversion, but ...Read More

  • The Struggle With Sin

    Romans 7:13–25

    How is your personal walk with the Lord? Have you become calloused to the evils of sin manifest in you own life? Have you forgotten to spend time with Him? It is as we love Him more and more that ...Read More

  • The Imitation of Christ

    Ephesians 5:1

    The Apostle Paul’s teaching on our sanctification is ultimately a call to the imitation of Christ (1 Cor. 11:1). Therefore, we should pay close attention to the words and actions of Jesus if we want to understand what ...Read More

  • Clinging to the Truth

    Philippians 2:16

    Today’s passage tells us that as we live a life that reflects the gospel, we not only become the lights that we already are in Christ but also encourage those who give the gospel to us. Our church leaders ...Read More

  • Lights to the World

    Philippians 2:14–15

    Since we are already lights to the world in Christ Jesus, we can, by His Spirit, show forth the glory and goodness of God in line with the Father’s plan. We will fail from time to time and need ...Read More

  • The Work of God Through Us

    Philippians 2:12–13

    Augustine says that “[we] are to work with fear and trembling so that [we] will not, by attributing the good working to [ourselves], be elated by the good works as if they were [our] own” (ACCNT 8, p. 245). Even ...Read More

  • The World

    Romans 12:2

    The ways of this fallen world influence us far more than we would ever want to imagine. Therefore, it is absolutely critical that we keep ourselves immersed in Scripture, seeking for God to transform our minds that we might see ...Read More

  • The Spirit-filled Life

    Ephesians 5:18-19

    Today’s passage also tells us that evidence of the Spirit-filled life includes being full of song and delight (Eph. 5:19). Matthew Henry comments: “Though Christianity is an enemy to profane mirth, yet it encourages joy and gladness. God ...Read More

  • Faith and Fruit

    Galatians 5:19-23

    Scripture is clear that sinless perfection is impossible in this life (1 John 1:8–9), so we will never exhibit any of the fruit of the Spirit flawlessly on this side of glory. Nevertheless, there is a difference between ...Read More

  • A Plan for Growth

    Luke 14:25-33

    Today it often seems as if the church is looking for the power of God everywhere except in the means of grace. Of course, the Lord often works in unexpected ways to bring about our growth in holiness. Yet He ...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

  • What We Learned in Christ

    Ephesians 4:23-24

    Taking off our old selves — our Adamic natures that love rebellion — and putting on Christ is really a single act. We cannot live in Adam and in Christ at the same time, which means that we cannot refuse to give ...Read More

  • Learning Christ

    Ephesians 4:20-22

    John Calvin writes, “He whose life differs not from that of unbelievers, has learned nothing of Christ; for the knowledge of Christ cannot be separated from the mortification of the flesh.” Scripture never asserts that sinless perfection is attainable before ...Read More

  • The Needfulness of Truth and Love

    Ephesians 4:15-16

    Are you conscious of the intimate way in which you are connected to all other believers? Your sins and holiness impact other Christians, for you share an inseparable link to them (Eph. 4:15–16). One of the key motivations ...Read More