Tuesday May 24, 2022

Today is Tuesday, May 24 and we are exploring what the bible says about entire sanctification.

As I enter this time of prayer, I pause to make room for God in the cramped quarters of my heart and mind. I deepen my breathing and quiet my wandering thoughts. I focus my entire being on God – Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Loving Lord, I have come to this place to meet you and experience the joy of your abiding presence. Teach me your truth about sanctifying grace. Speak the words you have for me this morning, show me how to listen with the ears of my heart and comprehend your promises. Amen.

I seek God’s perfect way for me, praising him with the words of Psalm 18.

As for God, his way is perfect: The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him. For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God? It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure. Psalm 18:30-32

Pause and Pray

The most important influence on John Wesley’s understanding of entire sanctification came from God’s word. Wesley was a “man of one book” – the bible, and he was convinced that the scriptures mapped the way to holiness. The call to holiness is seen in many places in both the Old and New Testament. God is holy and God calls his people to be holy. In a beautiful passage describing the celebratory joy of the redeemed, Isaiah describes a highway to holiness. On a holy road through a land like paradise the people of God sing praises to their Redeemer. There is a way, a path, an avenue God’s people are invited to walk toward sanctification.

A highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:8-10

Isaiah’s ancient prophetic words speak to my soul this morning. There is a Way of Holiness, and I am invited by God to journey on that way. My blessed Lord has rescued and redeemed me and then provided a highway for me to travel, a path for me to traverse, a road for me to cross. It is a truly holy highway. I envision a sojourn of gladness and joy, a lifelong pilgrimage of the spirit where I join my brothers and sisters in jubilant singing and celebration. What is missing on this road that welcomes me?There is nothing unclean, impure, wicked, or dangerous. Sorrow and sadness have disappeared. Each day I choose whether I will walk the way of holiness and progress on the road to sanctification.

Ask: Do I choose to walk the way of holiness?How might this coming day be different because of my determination to walk this way?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, thank you for loving me, seeking me and finding me. Thank you for your great rescue plan for humanity made possible through your Son Jesus. Thank you for redeeming a sinner like me and inviting me to walk the way of holiness and progress in sanctifying grace. Strengthen my resolve and determination to persevere on this road through the inspiration and strength only you can provide. I read the words from Isaiah again and listen for the message you have for me.

A highway will be there; it will be called the Way of Holiness; it will be for those who walk on that Way. The unclean will not journey on it; wicked fools will not go about on it. No lion will be there, nor any ravenous beast; they will not be found there. But only the redeemed will walk there, and those the Lord has rescued will return. They will enter Zion with singing; everlasting joy will crown their heads. Gladness and joy will overtake them, and sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:8-10

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage?What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

God speaks to me as I search the scriptures for his truth. Today God wants to teach me about sanctification and holiness. I meditate on this passage from Isaiah and consider carefully what the Holy Spirit is revealing to my soul. Perhaps the Way of Holiness has been disclosed to me, or maybe I am still searching for it. Maybe I am on the road to sanctification but am not making much progress. What might the next steps be for me on my spiritual journey?Do I need to slow down or speed up?Have I veered to the right or to the left?Perhaps I have fallen off the path. Or maybe I am even going in the wrong direction.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, reveal the way of holiness and the path to sanctification. Teach me to walk the narrow road as you expertly guide me. Help me to surrender myself to Jesus – trusting and obeying him at every turn. Inspire me to persevere and press on toward the goal of holiness of heart and life. Amen.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

I leave this time of prayer eager to walk in holiness, attentive to ways I can love and serve others in the name of Jesus Christ.

Amen