Friday May 27, 2022

Today is Friday, May 27 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 praise God and rejoice in his amazing love for me with the words of Psalm 103.

Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:2-5

Pause and Pray

The doctrine of original sin explains that there is no human being born who does not sin. From the day sin entered the world through the fall of Adam and Eve, there has never been a person on earth who did not sin, until God’s only Son Jesus Christ came to take away our sins through his suffering and sacrifice upon the cross. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. God is ready to forgive our past sins, justify us and sanctify us. Through sanctifying grace, John Wesley explains we are set free from evil thoughts and evil tempers (or emotions). The very root of sin is removed, it can no longer bud and grow because we come to have the mind of Christ and sin is vanquished. (John Wesley, Christian Perfection)

Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13

I am a part of the body of Christ, a community of believers called and equipped for works of service in the church and in the world. Together with my brothers and sisters, I am to be built up, unified in the faith, and united in the knowledge of Jesus. It is God’s will that I become mature and attain the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Measuring up to the entire and complete standard that is God’s Son, Jesus. Through grace alone, and not anything to do with my own worth or effort, I am able to reach an elevated stature of holiness that is unattainable on my own. God restores his image in me that was lost and distorted through the sins of Adam and my soul is finally set free and untarnished to shine like the stars.

Ask: Am I tempted to think that I can attain holiness in my own power, instead of having faith in God’s power?Am I reluctant to acknowledge the depth of my sinful nature even to myself?

Pause and Pray

Lord God, I seek the holiness of heart and life only you can provide. Build me up alongside my brothers and sisters and unite us in true knowledge and steadfast faith. Bring maturity to my spirit, increase the stature of my soul, and stretch the capacity of my heart to attain the whole measure of the fullness of Jesus. You are faithful and want me to advance in perfect love of God and others. I read the words from Ephesians again and listen for the message you have for me.

Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13

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 reveals his truth to me through his holy Word. I can rely on scripture to teach, correct, instruct and guide me. I understand God wants me to make progress on my spiritual journey and mature me in love. What emotions does this passage of scripture from Ephesians evoke for me?Do I feel energy, anticipation and excitement?Or the opposite?I repeat the word or phrase that stands out to me and/or I meditate on the images that come to my mind. Maybe God wants to remind me not to be anxious, worry or fear, for he will provide everything I need. Perhaps God has already taken inventory of the shortages within my soul and is preparing to supply my deepest needs.

Pause and Pray

Come, Holy Spirit, I welcome you into the smallness of my soul. Enter my cramped and meager hovel confined by narrowness of mind and restricted by poverty of heart. Come, expand my thinking, enlarge my compassion, increase my love, and bring an abundance of spirit that is only possible through your grace. Broaden me to the whole measure of the fullness of Jesus. Amen.

For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. Hebrews 10:14

As I leave this time of prayer, I go seeking holiness of heart and life. To live a life of love – increasing in perfect love for God and others.

Amen