J>S>G

I believe, in a sense, the whole Christian journey can be summed up in 3 phases:

Justification > Sanctification > Glorification

Or in a more literal way: you have been saved, you are being saved, and you shall be saved.

Let me explain:

Justification

Romans 5 vs 1 says “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.”‭‭

The Bible teaches us that once we believe in the son of God, in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and accept him as our lord and savior, we now have right standing with God.

That we are justified by our faith in Jesus and not in any work we have ever done or can ever do because sin is not just an action but rather separation from God, and the only person who can reconcile us back to God is Jesus (who is the eternal High Priest).

(Just for context, a high priest is someone who intercedes and offers sacrifices for the sins of His people.)

That’s why Paul said in Romans 5 vs 8, “But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.”

Because only HIS sacrifice can fully and forever atone for our sins.

So on the cross we see Jesus (the sinless one) being handed over to die so that we (thesinful ones) could be made sinless (justified), therefore making us friends of God and no longer enemies of God.

Now, Sanctification

“For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.”Hebrews‬ ‭10‬:‭14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

This passage puts it best: you’ve been made perfect (justified) in the sight of God, and at the same time, you are also being made holy, or you’re being sanctified (for the sake of this text).

Notice the Bible says “being made”, which indicates present continuous tense. It’s an ongoing process, one that would continue till you take your last breath.

Now what does it mean to be sanctified (made holy), and how does one become sanctified (holy)?

To be sanctified means to be purified, to be set apart, to be consecrated, to be made sacred, to be cleansed (you get the idea 😂).

And becoming sanctified (/holy) can only happen as you know intimately and learn continually from the Holy One of Israel.

And this happens when we consistently read His word, meditate on it, pray, are still in His presence and especially obey His word, etc.

[Side note: something I’ve been learning recently is that obedience to God is not a burden but rather a path to freedom.]

Now back to where we were,

God has taken you out of Egypt, so now it’s time for Egypt to be taken out of you, and that requires obedience, surrendering, humility, dying to self, etc.

Galatians 5 vs 16 says, 'Walk by the spirit, then you will not gratify the desires of your sinful nature.'

And from experience I know that this process isn’t smooth. Trials and temptations here and there.

So even when you fall, keep in mind that you are justified and loved unfathomably by God.

Lastly, Glorification

JESUS IS COMING BACK.

It’s not a matter of if He is but a matter of when He is, and He has given us hope of the new age to come where there will be no more pain, sorrow or tears but joy.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭5‬ vs 2‬ says, “Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.”

We are co-heirs with Christ, and we will inherit God's glory alongside Christ, and THAT is a promise from our faithful Father in heaven.

‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬ vs 17‬ ‭says, “And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.”

So dear brothers and sisters,THE BEST IS YET TO COME