From yesterday: In contrast, the outcome of the Christian journey is certain, and everyone who lives for Christ can be assured of their final victory.  It is true, we can’t predict where the Lord will take us, or how He will choose to use our talent, time and energy for His glory.  We also can’t anticipate every triumph or tragedy along the way.  These are the signposts of a true adventure.  However, when our lives are over, and we see Jesus face to face, our faith will be realized by sight, and we will be rewarded for our faithfulness.  This is the nature of the Christian’s journey.

For years, this process has been known by the theological term, “sanctification.”  In His lengthy prayer before His death Jesus asked that His disciples be “truly sanctified” (John 17:19).  When someone or something is sanctified, it is set apart for a holy purpose and purified for that purpose.  As followers of Jesus we are set apart to live for Him, and the indwelling Holy Spirit continuously transforms us.

Sanctification is a collaborative work involving our heavenly Father, our Savior Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the church, and our best personal efforts.  We don’t save ourselves, but for sanctification to take hold we must contribute to the process.  If it were not for our assurance of salvation we would lack the confidence we need to move forward.  On the other hand, if we are not concerned about moving forward we should revisit our decision to follow Jesus and rekindle our sense of purpose.

In regards to our salvation, we are drawn together in the Lord’s church by our common dependence on His grace.  As we are sanctified we are united by the struggle against flesh and blood, but mostly the spiritual forces that threaten to derail us.  Our celebration in heaven will certainly be one of praise for the One who saved us and acclamation for those who have journeyed with us.  Now we walk, even run together as we collectively look to our Savior.  “But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation– if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel” (Colossians 1:22-23).