3 "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,5 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit,"
He saved us not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.
He is sanctifiying us not because of righteous things we do, but because of His mercy.
Because as Christians we are called to good works, I think it can be easy to be swayed into believing/ living as though those good works aid in our sanctification somehow...Er, earn more favor with God; earn jewels in our crown; something of this nature?
He could save us and leave us as we are. He loved us this way first, He could continue loving us as we are. Yet, it seems as though He desires sactification to be a demonstration of HIS power at work in our lives. It's not so we can get better to be "more fit" for heaven, but it seems that it is more with HIM and HIS GLORY as the focal point. Sanctification is not JUST for OUR sake - the benefits that come to us by living like Christ on earth, but more for HIS sake - bringing Him glory on earth as it is in heaven! Hmmm...to LIVE in this reality!
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