Sanctification: A Lifelong Journey
Scripture
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
— 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”
— Hebrews 12:14 (NKJV)
Devotion
Pastor Darren emphasized that sanctification—a life being made holy—is not a “one altar trip deal.” It is a lifelong journey. You do not become perfectly holy in a single moment, but you do begin a process where, step by step, Jesus increases and you decrease.
Think of Paul. After his encounter with Jesus, scales fell from his eyes. He was saved, set apart, filled with the Spirit. But as he walked with Jesus, more “junk” fell off—pride, old ways of thinking, self-reliance. He could eventually say, “Imitate me, as I imitate Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1).
Sanctification is this daily posture: “Lord, let me decrease so You may increase.” It’s the ongoing work of the Spirit through the Word, through prayer, through obedience, through repentance. Some days it’s dramatic; most days it’s quiet and steady.
Holiness, then, is not perfectionism; it’s direction. Are you moving toward God, or drifting away? Are the scales falling off, or piling back on? Pastor Darren challenged: could you, with integrity, tell a younger believer, “Follow my example if you want to learn how to walk with Jesus”?
You may not be there yet, but through sanctification, that’s exactly what God is aiming for in your life—Christlikeness that is visible, real, and reproducible.
Reflection
“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
— 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)
“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”
— Hebrews 12:14 (NKJV)
Devotion
Pastor Darren emphasized that sanctification—a life being made holy—is not a “one altar trip deal.” It is a lifelong journey. You do not become perfectly holy in a single moment, but you do begin a process where, step by step, Jesus increases and you decrease.
Think of Paul. After his encounter with Jesus, scales fell from his eyes. He was saved, set apart, filled with the Spirit. But as he walked with Jesus, more “junk” fell off—pride, old ways of thinking, self-reliance. He could eventually say, “Imitate me, as I imitate Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1).
Sanctification is this daily posture: “Lord, let me decrease so You may increase.” It’s the ongoing work of the Spirit through the Word, through prayer, through obedience, through repentance. Some days it’s dramatic; most days it’s quiet and steady.
Holiness, then, is not perfectionism; it’s direction. Are you moving toward God, or drifting away? Are the scales falling off, or piling back on? Pastor Darren challenged: could you, with integrity, tell a younger believer, “Follow my example if you want to learn how to walk with Jesus”?
You may not be there yet, but through sanctification, that’s exactly what God is aiming for in your life—Christlikeness that is visible, real, and reproducible.
Reflection
- Where can you see that God has already brought change in you over the years? Thank Him specifically.
- Where do you sense He is currently pressing you to grow or let go of something?
- Pray: “Holy Spirit, continue Your work in me. I submit to the process of sanctification. Help me grow in grace and in the likeness of Christ.”