2 Peter 3:18 (NLT)
Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.
DWELLING IS IMPORTANT
Colossians 3:16 (ESV)
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Where do we dwell often and what do we allow to dwell in us?
Dwell katoikeō (Kat•toy•keo):
to settle down in a fixed dwelling, to dwell permanently; to inhabit
Psalm 26:8 (NLT)
I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells.
Psalm 27:4 (NLT)
The one thing I ask of the Lord— the thing I seek most— is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.
DWELLING DETERMINES OUR HOPE, SANCTIFICATION, AND DIRECTION
To grow in grace is to allow God to sanctify you as you daily dwell in His presence! To allow Him to set you apart for His holy use. It's a dedication to growth! Growing in revelation of God & His word. Growing in faith and being a doer! Being a confident warrior for God living in His abundant power made available to you to live a Godly life!
You can't overcome old thoughts through sanctification if you never make the personal decision to dwell in His presence.
Why would we sacrifice like this?
Hebrews 10:14 (ESV)
For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.
Hebrews 10:14 (MSG)
It was a perfect sacrifice by a perfect person to perfect some very imperfect people. By that single offering, he did everything that needed to be done for everyone who takes part in the purifying process.
To grow in grace is to submit to Jesus through sanctification!
Sanctify in the greek is hagiazō (ha•gia•zo):
Dedicate, honor as holy, set apart
Hebrews 10:10 (ESV)
And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
Embracing holiness is how you and I overcome our old thoughts and ways! Setting your heart aside for Him. It’s not about time spent but offering yourself daily for Him to shape. It’s about love! Who do we love?
Gods will for you and I is that we grow in grace by following Him on a journey of sanctification. Where we live according to His will fully dedicated and set apart for His Holy use.
GRACE INITIATES THE SANCTIFICATION PROCESS, AND IT IS THROUGH GRACE THAT THIS TRANSFORMATIVE JOURNEY IS SUSTAINED. OUR EXISTENCE IS TO BE IMMERSED IN, GUIDED BY, AND ROOTED IN HIS EXTRAORDINARY GRACE. OUR COMMITMENT LIES IN REMAINING STEADFAST IN GRACE, UNWAVERING AS WE STRIVE TO LIVE A LIFE DEDICATED TO HIM.
Titus 2:11–14 (ESV)
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
OUR RIGHTEOUS STANDING BEFORE GOD IS NOT ATTAINED THROUGH RIGHTEOUS LIVING. INSTEAD, IT IS GRANTED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH. OUR LIVES FLOW FROM THIS NEW POSITION AS CHILDREN OF GOD, CONTINUOUSLY LEARNING HIS WILL AND ALIGNING OUR ACTIONS WITH HIS DESIRES.