Sanctification & Growth

True worship involves comprehension, conviction, and consecration.

Every believer is a spiritual house that is pervaded by the Spirit and power of God. As the temples of God, we must be devoted to the worship of God. With this truth in mind, Peter provides us with the bricks that every believer must build his life upon so that he will be a spiritual house that enables Christ to be exalted through his life.

Peter shares four beautiful truths about Christ that, if pondered, will equip you to fight temptation and provoke you to put your faith and hope in God.

From before time began, God chose to save believers from their sins in order that they might become conformed to the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Consequently, every true believer moves inexorably toward perfection in righteousness, as God makes for Himself a people recreated into the likeness of His divine Son who will dwell and reign with Him in heaven throughout eternity. God's supreme purpose in bringing sinners to salvation is to glorify His Son, Jesus Christ, by making Him preeminent in the divine plan of redemption.

When Jesus "cleansed the temple," the point was clearly made that God judges spiritual apathy. This apathy is manifested in a lack of genuine love for God, as well as in a lack of genuine love for others.

We learn how to run the race of faith that is set before us with the right motivation

In his closing introduction, Peter shares four reminders regarding salvation which, if meditated upon, will produce a life of joy that is marked by holiness.

Sin is what robs God's glory from being displayed in the believer's life.  For the believer to truly glorify God, his heart must be pure.  We are reminded of five characteristics that are necessary in order to dispose of sin.

What are the three most essential characteristics for effective discipleship in the home?  Right thinking, right speaking, and right living.

In a one-sentence warning, John concludes his epistle by expressing concern over the greatest obstacle to a Christian's spiritual growth: idolatry, expressed in wrong views of God.

True Christians do not live habitually in a lifestyle of sin.  And that is made possible by the fact that Christ guards and preserves His people.

Paul provides a second list of threats to a Christian’s assurance -- adversaries that seek to cause us to doubt the love God has for us in Christ.  Yet, regardless what adversities or adversaries come our way, true believers are promised that nothing can drive a wedge between them and God.

If we are to follow Christ it must be on His terms. Christ, in this passage, outlines three qualities of a true disciple: unselfish sacrifice, unwavering commitment, and undivided attention.

With the Spirit of God now living in us, we have a moral responsibility to put to death fleshly deeds. In fact, this is what it means to be "led by the Spirit" -- the third member of the Godhead enlightens our minds with truth and He enflames our hearts with a desire for holiness so that we are empowered to say no to temptation. A lifestyle of putting to death fleshliness is therefore an indication we are saved.

Chapter 8 of Romans is one of the most cherished chapters in Romans.  In the first four verses of this marvelous passage, we find two results of the reality that believers are "in Christ."

What can help us keep from "drifting" away from a passionate walk with Christ? John provides the second of two anchors that, when remembered, can help us live a consistent life for our Savior.

True righteousness beings with conviction of one's own lack of righteousness and a plea for God's mercy and provision -- to be born again. Living righteously as a Christian continues to require this.