Sanctification in Progress

1 Thessalonians 5:14 AMP
“We [earnestly] urge you, believers, admonish those who are out of line [the undisciplined, the unruly, the disorderly], encourage the timid [who lack spiritual courage], help the [spiritually] weak…”

I’m sure most of us can muster up enough courage to admonish the undiciplined, the unruly, and the disorderly, at least the ones we personally know. Sometimes we just don’t want to get involved in controversy but this is the time of awakening.

Paul gave this command for a reason, obviously there were unruly people in Thessolanica, just as there are today! Paul also says to encourage those who are timid. In these last days we need boldness, encourage those who are timid to find their boldness.

We also need to instruct and encourage those who have stopped in their spiritual walk. That includes a large group of Christians. We are growing spiritual babies in this day and time. We get people saved and then we stop with the instructions. We basically invite people to church and hope the Pastor does his job.

Sanctification should always follow salvation. Typically, but not always, sanctification takes months, years in most cases. Sanctification is a purifying process, a work of the Holy Spirt. Sanctification is the process of becoming more like Christ in our conduct and character. Face it, if we held up a mirror to our spiritual walk, would we see Jesus?

Prayer:
Lord, search me and know my ways. See if there is anything in me that is not pleasing to You. Clean out the dross and make me more like You!