**Sip Saturday is written by our Saturday morning contributor, M.H. Elrich. A beautifully gifted Christian author who seeks to honor the Trinity in her writing. She hopes that her words will encourage women to draw closer to God, whether that is through her fantasy series or her weekly devotionals.
Cornerstone Scripture:
“For he who sanctifies and those who are sanctified all have one source.”
-Hebrews 2:11A ESV
Sanctification “involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration” (Easton’s Bible Dictionary).
Most people are familiar with redemption stories. An evil villain decides to turn good. A bully or rival decides to work with the hero. A good redemption story can be compelling and interesting. However, many of these stories show the instantaneous transformation of an evil person to a good person. They don’t show the struggles of overcoming bad habits.
The truth is that becoming good isn’t instantaneous. It isn’t as easy as it looks either. In fact, Christians would argue that no one can be truly good (Romans 3:12). Yet, Jesus demands perfection (Matthew 5:48). So what can a person do if they want to be good?
First, you put your faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God. By believing that he lived, died, and rose again, God automatically wipes away your sins (1 John 1:9). Belief alone leads to eternal life, and you could technically stop there. But as James points out, faith without works is dead (James 2:26).
Once you have faith in Jesus, get baptized (Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 3:21). Plug into a church community and meet with them (Hebrews 10:25). Read the Bible and learn from the life within its pages (Hebrews 4:12). Pray and commune with God, drawing near to him daily (1 Thessalonians 5:17). These habits will help you “...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling…” (Philippians 2:12).
But what if…that’s not enough?
I understand that feeling all too well. There was a time in my life when I thought I had committed the unforgivable sin. I thought, because I knew the law but disobeyed the law, that I was beyond redemption and help. Through the teachings of a friend about the Holy Spirit and a passage in John where Peter finds forgiveness, I realized that wasn’t true.
The truth is, we can strive and run and press toward Jesus with all our heart. God wants us to do this. He wants people like David who desire to please him and capture his heart. But he knows we can’t do it on our own. He knows that we wouldn’t be able to do anything without his power. Why else would he come to die for our sins, if we could be perfect on our own?
The Holy Spirit is truly the sanctifier or the source. He has the power to help us break bad habits and form new ones. He works from the inside out, tugging us in the direction He wants us to go. He forms us into a new person, transforming us (2 Corinthians 3:18). Redemption happens at the moment of faith; sanctification is a process that happens throughout our lives.
Don’t strive alone. Surrender to He who is able to make you new.
Let’s pray.
Dear Lord, please help me tune into your Holy Spirit and obey you. Everyday may be a struggle, but I pray for your help in getting me through it. Amen.
Recently, I, M.H., had a series of medical emergencies. You can read the full story here, but if you feel led, you can also donate using this link.
Thank you very much.
I am thankful God uses your story to point believers to the path of sanctification. It's a blessing!
When we trust the process, we understand that the end result will manifest itself. We are speaking of the creator who spoke the world into existence. Can we get a grip on that? We've been giving instructions on to live and then mercy and grace. Just read the beginning, Genesis and then Revelation slowing with understanding the context.