Becoming Like Jesus

God planned long ago to choose you

by making you his holy people, which is the Spirit's work.

God wanted you to obey him and to be made clean

by the blood of the death of Jesus Christ.

Grace and peace be yours more and more.

1 Peter 1:2

Becoming Like Jesus

by Max Lucado

Have you ever wondered . . .

* What sanctification is?

* How you become sanctified?

Read John 17:17-19; 1 Corinthians 6:11;

Sanctification is the ongoing process of growing toward holiness. Once you accept Christ as your Savior, your salvation is secure, but God isn't finished with you yet. As long as your alive, he wants you to become more like him. Sanctification is the Holy Spirit's job. Through his leading, you become more and more like Jesus each day.

Sanctification lasts a lifetime. While you're on earth, you'll never be perfect, but you should become more perfect with each passing day. God gives you the tools--the handbook (the bible), the guide (the Holy Spirit), and the companions (the church).

You don't have to do anything to get salvation. You just embrace it. It's a gift, pure and simple. But from that moment on. God does expect something from you. He expects you to abandon your old lifestyle and g row into Christ's likeness. It's your part in God's plan.

You have begun to life the new life, in which you are being made new and are becoming like the One who made you. This new life brings you the true knowledge of God. (Colossians 3:10)

Some personal applications:


How are you growing to be more like Jesus in your lifestyle?

Why would God want you to have a part in sanctification?

For a more in-depth study, read: Matthew 7:24-27

* Personal sanctification comes because of Christ's work for us.

* Progressive sanctification comes because of Christ work in us.

* Both are gifts from God.

* With one sacrifice he made perfect forever those who are being made holy' (Hebrew 10:4). See the blending of tenses? He made perfect' (positional sanctification) those who are 'being made holy' (progressive sanctification).

*Positional and progressive sanctification. God's work for us and God's work in us. Neglect the first, and you grow fearful. Neglect the second and you grow lazy. Both are essential, and both are seen in the moistened dirt at the base of the cross of Christ." --Max Lucado


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The Devotional Bible - Experiencing the Heart of Jesus, Max Lucado General Editor, New Century Version, Thomas Nelson Publishers