What is the evidence of sanctification?


And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you]. - Romans 12:2 (Amplified Bible)

1. A growing desire for God's Word

Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. - John 17:17 

These are the words that Jesus prayed to God the Father while on the earth regarding those chosen by God, predestined, and entrusted to Christ, the Savior of the World. As a Christ-follower, that prayer was prayed for you that you would progress in your faith from being saved, justified, to ever increasing in Christ-likeness, sanctification.

Do I make the reading of God’s Word a daily priority?

2. A proactive obedience to God’s Word.

But Samuel answered, “Which pleases the Lord more: burnt offerings and sacrifices or obeying his commands? It is better to obey the Lord than to offer sacrifices to him. It is better to listen to him than to offer the fat from rams. - 1 Samuel 15:22 (ERV) 

The golden rule for understanding spiritually is not intellect, but obedience. If a man wants scientific knowledge, intellectual curiosity is his guide; but if he wants insight into what Jesus Christ teaches, he can only get it by obedience. - Oswald Chambers

In our human attempts to look good in serving God, there is the temptation to perform certain religious duties rather than to truly obey God. Even good activities, such as giving money to charity, attending church services, or praying in public, are not as important to God as obeying His commands.

Do I proactively obey what I read in God’s Word daily?

3. A growing desire to serve others

It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself.  - Galatians 5:13 (The Message)

Is my first thought about me or others?

4. A growing hatered for sin

You who love the Lord, hate evil.  - Psalm 97:10a

Are there sins in my life that I do not genuinely hate; those that are self-justified and accepted rather than met with remorseful repentance?

5. A decreasing interest in the things of this world.

Do not love the world [of sin that opposes God and His precepts], nor the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust and sensual craving of the flesh and the lust and longing of the eyes and the boastful pride of life [pretentious confidence in one’s resources or in the stability of earthly things]—these do not come from the Father, but are from the world. - 1 John 2:15-16 (Amplified Bible)

Are my thoughts/actions focused on acquiring in this life or investing in eternity?

Be Encouraged to pursue Christ-likeness in this life.



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