Hebrews 12.1–3
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded
by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us also lay aside every weight,
and sin which clings so closely,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame,
and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 Consider him who endured from sinners
such hostility against himself,
so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.
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All this is part of my sanctification. When I am killing sin and crucifying the flesh and seeing blind spots exposed, these are all good signs of spiritual life and fruit. They are evidence that the Holy Spirit is indeed inside of me and at work. Every true believer will have some evidence of the Spirit’s work (John 15.16); if we don’t, we must wonder if indeed we are born again, or if we are just claiming to be born again (2 Corinthians 13.5). It isn’t that we are saved by our works, but that our works testify that we are saved (Matthew 7.20, James 2.15-26).
We are saved by faith alone,
but the faith that saves
is never alone.
-John Calvin
Sanctification can be seen as a consistent trajectory towards Christ-likeness. It is never a straight line, nor is it like a rocket ship going straight up. It is often more akin to a strenuous race of endurance up a mountain range with ups and downs, switchbacks, and many peaks and valleys. Some are gentle inclines, some are steep declines. I might take three glorious steps forward, and then take two (or even four!) stumbles back. Not to mention that I might even get off the right path along the way!
But while I’m on this journey, I keep my eyes on Christ. As I continue to fix my eyes on His love and promises, He will lead me through my sanctification. He will bring about the fruit of the Spirit through various ways in my life, even through the hardest times in my life, but I can rest assured that if I am His I will continue to journey upward toward Mount Zion. Even when I am totally out of breath, I have nothing to fear, because He will bring me to His Holy Mountain.
My salvation is a package deal.
My sanctification and even
my glorification comes together
with my justification.
The Good News is that not only is my justification guaranteed and kept safe in heaven for me (1 Peter 1.3, 4), but my sanctification and even my future glorification is all guaranteed by the blood of Christ.
Read Again Out Loud and Make it into a Prayer:
Hebrews 12.1–3
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Personalize and Read or Pray Aloud:
Psalm 40.1–4, 11-17
1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.
4 Blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust,
who does not turn to the proud,
to those who go astray after a lie!
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11 As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me;
your steadfast love and your faithfulness
will ever preserve me!
12 For evils have encompassed me beyond number;
my iniquities have overtaken me, and I cannot see;
they are more than the hairs of my head; my heart fails me.
13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me!
O Lord, make haste to help me!
14 Let those be put to shame and disappointed altogether
who seek to snatch away my life;
let those be turned back and brought to dishonor
who delight in my hurt!
15 Let those be appalled because of their shame
who say to me, “Aha, Aha!”
16 But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who love your salvation say continually,
“Great is the Lord!”
17 As for me, I am poor and needy,
but the Lord takes thought for me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
do not delay, O my God!
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Pray Aloud:
Father, help ________ to keep in step
with Your Spirit today.
Help ______ to follow You
and lift up Your Name,
that ______ might carry
Your aroma through the day.
Give _______ daily bread,
so that Your promises would keep ________ heart,
which is prone to wander,
anchored closely to You.
Lead ________ away from temptation,
but instead be brought back
to Your truth and presence.
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