Day 14: The Appropriation of Faith in Sanctification
1 Thessalonians 5:23–24
I am amazed when I consider the everyday jobs through which Jesus taught profound spiritual truth—from fishermen to farmers, blacksmiths to builders, and shepherds to servants. However, we can all relate to the illustration of an athlete. The goal of the runner is to win the race. This will only happen as they shed their outer clothing, tuck in their racing shirt, clean the dirt off their spikes, and clear their mind of distracting thoughts. Then, with laser focus on the finish line, they can run the race to the max. Likewise, in our journey to become more and more like Jesus, we cannot, in our own strength, consistently pick the best over the good when we set priorities. By sheer willpower, we cannot eliminate the busyness and distractions that assault our schedules. Only by placing our faith in Jesus and trusting Him to keep us on track can we hope to stay on the path our Lord has set before us. When dealing with sin that grows quickly in our lives when unchecked, trusting Jesus alone for freedom is even more essential. We must surrender our struggles and failures daily, and even moment-by-moment, so that our eyes are drawn back to Jesus all day long. What a marvelous truth—Jesus wants us to be like Him. And since one of the Spirit’s jobs is to convict us of sin, we can, by faith, trust our Lord to keep us progressing in our journey.
Reflection Prayer
Lord of my journey, thank You for loving me along the way, not just at the end of the race. I genuinely desire to walk more closely with You, to obey more consistently, and to listen more intently. Again, I place my trust and faith in You to keep me focused on You. I trust in You alone to enable me to prioritize when I get it wrong and when I’m distracted, to return my gaze to You. Holy Spirit, convict me when I slip into sin so I can return to the path You have given me. Amen.
Week 2: Christ Our Sanctifier
John 17:19
As we focus on the life of Christ, this week’s theme is Christ Our Sanctifier. We believe that our purpose was determined even before our formation in the womb. This is conveyed in Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart.” Additionally, 1 Peter 2:9 states that we have been brought out of darkness into light to proclaim His excellencies and become His chosen people, a royal priesthood, and His possession. As adherents of Christ’s teachings, it is crucial for us to recognize that God has a specific purpose for our lives. In fulfilling this purpose, He sanctifies us through the work of the Holy Spirit within us. We are set apart for holy living in this fallen world and are equipped to carry out His work.
Reflection Questions
Do you believe God has a purpose for your life?
Do you feel empowered to fulfill His calling?
How do you manage the conflict between flesh and spirit?