progressive-sanctification

At All Times~Part One

~ jma47 ~ Leave a comment

As I began to memorize Colossians 3:12-13, the Holy Spirit showed me something that I had never connected before. The previous three verses were about putting on. Verse 12 says, “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved…” The first part was written about our position in Christ which never changes.

However the second part was written about our state of mind which changes all the time. The verse continues, “…put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.” Five character qualities that Jesus displayed at all times. 

Verse 13 says, “Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” This verse reminds us that at all times, and in every circumstance of our lives, we are to live in forgiveness. Forgiveness is a life skill. Many diseases are rooted in the destructive stress caused by buried unforgiveness.

Spiritual Warfare 101 ~ Part Two

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1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith…” Ephesians 6:13 says to withstand. Strong’s definition: vigorously opposing, bravely resisting, standing face-to-face against an adversary, standing your ground.

Salvation is eternal. Philippians 1:28 says, “And not in anyway terrified by your adversaries, which is to them a proof of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that from God.”

Spiritual warfare is part of our progressive sanctification. It is God’s effective tool to strengthen our faith. It takes warfare to reveal the hidden chinks in our armor. Unresolved issues are chinks that the enemy targets. 

Within every believer is the same power that God used to raise Jesus from the dead. We stand against a defeated foe. His power is deceptive temptations that entice us. We must bring truth into our hearts to stand and keep on standing.