Thoughts Along the Way©
Elaine Mehn
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2
A few years ago we purchased a house. We are like most in that we paid for part of it and took out a bank loan for the rest. The day we signed the papers, we moved into our new house. What an exciting, terrifying, wonderful and exhausting day. We were now the proud owners of a house with all of the responsibilities that go along with ownership.
We own the house but at the same time we are buying our house in that every month we make a mortgage payment to the bank. As we make the month by month payments, we actually own a little more of the house. Assuming we keep this house long enough, we will someday fully own the house.
A lot of years ago I became a Christian. At that moment my sins were forgiven and I was declared to be righteous in Christ. Jesus good record and right standing before God the Father were legally declared to be mine. By faith I am as holy as Christ. This is a one time event. It does not come and go with my behavior because it is based on Christ and not me.
During all the convening years, I have continued to sin. (How can this be? If I am righteous in Christ, how can I continue to sin?) Seeing the sin in my heart leads me to on going repentance, a growing faith and a greater obedience. This is what the Bible calls sanctification or becoming holy as Christ is holy. This is not a one time event but rather a month by month, week by week, day by day, moment by moment process. It will continue as long as I live.
The day will eventually arrive when I will in reality be as holy as God has declared me to be. That wonderful day is the day that I stand before the Father in Heaven complete in Christ.
In buying a house there are months that I am glad to have the house to live in but would prefer to not make mortgage payment. The bank sees them as a must so we faithfully make them. In my Christian life I am thankful to be declared right in Christ but I don’t like the repentance and obedience that God calls me to. He knows that this process of creating Christ in me is not optional but is necessary for my growth in purity.
I am righteous (justification).
I am becoming righteous (sanctification).
I someday will be righteous (glorification).
Prayer: Father, so often I forget that You have declared me to be holy in Your sight. I get discouraged as I see my slow progress in becoming holy. Teach my heart to rejoice in being as pure as Christ in Your eyes so that I can face the reality of on going repentance without despair.