1 John 2:6 says that those who say they believe in Jesus ~ walk just like He walked. From the moment that we accept Jesus as our personal Savior, we begin a journey of sanctification. It is progressive, and we do not arrive until we meet Him face to face.

Paul described his journey as a fight of faith. 2 Timothy 4:7. He wrote those words as he was waiting for the executioner to end his life on this earth. As I read of his innumerable trials in 2 Corinthians 11:23-33, I marvel that he would call them ‘light afflictions.’ 2 Corinthians 4:17.

There is another description of his life in Philippians 2:12. It says, “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.” Verse 11 says, “…I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.”

Psalm 119:71 says, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.”