1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
It's
amazing that God actually has a plan for your life that is far greater
than you can imagine. Unfortunately, this existence we have on earth has us so
preoccupied with the demands of life that most of us give little thought to
what it will mean to be completely sanctified.
Sanctification:
Three-stage Process
At
the moment of salvation, God sets us apart for Himself. Then throughout the
rest of our earthly life, He works to transform us into the image of His Son.
One day, however, there will be a glorious culmination to our sanctification.
Presently, we all struggle with sin, but when we die, our spirits and souls
will ascend to heaven and be completely sinless. Then we'll see our Savior face
to face and experience unimaginable joy. No longer will we struggle with the
pride of life or the lusts of the flesh and the eyes (1 John 2:16).
Not
the Final Step
Some
day in the future, Jesus will descend from heaven, bringing with Him the souls
of those who have died in Christ. They will be united with their resurrected
bodies, and believers who are still alive on the earth will be changed (1
Thess. 4:14-17; 1 Corinthians 15:51-54). Then sanctification will be complete: spirit,
soul, and body.
Not
just a Story
This
is not a fairy tale, but the believer appointed destiny. God Himself promises
to bring it to pass. We'll walk in His presence, spotless and without blame,
for all eternity. Knowing this, how will you live today? The promise of
salvation doesn’t mean to just give us hope, but to spur us on to holy living.
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