I first met Tracy when I was asked to speak to the college and professional Sunday School class. From stories she related to me, she said to herself “My husband will be like him.” What she saw that morning was a widower with three children who had a commitment to Christ. What she did not see was the preceding 18 years committed to the trappings of a self-indulgent world of excess. Once there was a more formal relationship and we began spending more time together she was exposed to the demands and realities of the world I had lived in for so long. While there was an improvement in her standard of living at her point of marriage, I know there were disappointments in her image of “the ideal Christian husband.” I was starting Seminary and still had/have, a long way to go in my relationship with Deity.
I tell you this because you have learned from living with your parents, brothers and sisters, that we are all less than perfect. I learned long ago that if your family can see God in your life, you have achieved a milestone. It normally takes longer for them to see Him in you than outsiders. I tell you this so you will not be discouraged with yourself or others who are in the sanctification, or “being set apart for God” process. Proverbs 4:18 is the perfect verse to describe a life of progression towards Godliness. It says: “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” Justification (salvation) allowed us the benefit of a becoming a new creation with a new nature – just not perfect! It is a continual process that only occurs with a commitment to this new life, bringing our thoughts into captivity and obedience to the Holy Spirit’s direction. (2 Corinthians 10:3 – 6)
The Holy Spirit is not going to reveal all our faults, weaknesses and unclaimed promises at once. We would be overwhelmed and give up. Slowly as we develop our depth of obedience, more is revealed during a progressive enlightenment which we can digest and apply. (1 John 1:7) This is a path all believers follow according to 1 Thessalonians 4:3a, 8: “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified. . . Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit.” So, even though the sanctification process provides different revelation at different times for each person, it is a similar process we all follow under the direction of the Holy Spirit. In this way we are transformed into the likeness of Christ one day at a time, through each new day’s circumstances, insight from others, wisdom obtained from study of scripture, and the revelation of the Holy Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
None of us will be perfect until we are changed (1 John 3:2 – 3, 1 Corinthians 15:12 – 54, Philippians 3:20 – 21) upon the return of Christ. Until that time, understand that the key is a love affair with Christ. That will keep you from habitually practicing your old sin. With that mindset, your spiritual growth and development will continue to help your mind. The body will always be the body – unsaved and unchanged until Christ returns. Give yourself and others the same break Christ extended to you because each of you have the same advocate covering you. (1 John 2:1 – 2, 12) I’m not asking you to tolerate sin, just understand the journey we are all on. Learn contentment in yours and other’s progress as Paul and others did. (Philippians 4:12, 1 Timothy 6:6, 8, Hebrews 13:5)
Love Dad