Simultaneously, from then onward, we begin our lives in sanctification (1 Thessalonians 4:3-6). It is the consistent pursuit of Christ-likeness in every avenue of life we find ourselves in. If we only thought of Him as Savior and not Lord, we might think we have no further responsibility than acknowledging He saved us. But it would not make sense to surrender solely to Him as Lord if we did not also know Him as our Savior whose death and subsequent resurrection constituted our redemption. When we take hold of both these realities, we realize we need Him and must surrender to Him as well (Romans 12:1).

Once we trust that Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the cross paid for all of our sins once and for all, we are motivated to take action. Such a transformation compels us to ask for the forgiveness only Jesus Christ can offer after He provided the propitiation for our sins. In other words, Christ is the only One who completely satisfied God’s wrath through His unfathomable sacrifice on our behalf.

The next step is confessing our sins to God, repenting before God, and receiving forgiveness for all our trespasses (Romans 10:9). If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to cleanse us of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). In our minds, we understand that God has forgiven us for things that are incomprehensibly offensive to Him. At this point, we decide to avoid practicing iniquity as much as possible and live a praiseworthy lifestyle in His sight. Instead of following the patterns of this world and conforming to society’s whims, we base our foundation for behavior on God’s Word (Romans 12:2). This transformation of turning away from our sins leads us to continue along a path of obedience that empowers us to rely on God to obey His commands (John 15:5).

While we have committed to have a relationship with and follow Jesus Christ in all our ways, it does not mean we are invulnerable to stumbling into sin ever again. But, of course, it is a red flag when such a sin constitutes a habitual sin (Romans 6:23). In such cases, we must urgently seek help from God, prayer, and accountability from a trustworthy believer to win the battle against it. However, when it comes to isolated moments of indiscretion, it is a reality we all cope with as imperfect as we are on this side of Heaven. But we must continue asking God for forgiveness and repent again for such compromises. It is, however, critical for us to avoid opening the door for sin when we know God’s grace is there when we have fallen (Romans 6:1-2).

As believers, critical aspects of our walk with Jesus Christ include core components of Christian discipline such as prayer, Bible study, fellowship with other believers, obeying God’s commands, following the Holy Spirit’s lead, and maintaining a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. All of these are fundamental for us to mature in the faith and cultivate our relationship with Jesus Christ. Life does not become a walk in the park for believers upon getting saved, but it does mean that we have the King of the Universe with us amid all circumstances. He will not leave or forsake His children, and nothing can separate us from His love (Hebrews 13:5, Romans 8:37-39). The assurance of our salvation and His sovereignty are tremendous blessings that help us persevere when facing extreme turmoil or extraordinary challenges.

In seasons of doubt, we must remain faithful that God will come through for us. I find it helpful to remember the countless times God has answered my prayers or opened unexpected doors in my favor. When we recall His perfect track record in our lives, it often reminds us that God will provide for us in the present and the future, just as He did in the past.

A disposition of gratitude for what we have and what is going right in our lives goes a long way in helping us conquer the problems that arise. It also prompts us to communicate to God that we are indeed thankful to Him for his numerous blessings and not solely focused on what is not going according to our plans.

Finally, when things are not all going ideally in our sight, it leads us to seek God more fervently. If not for some issues, we might buy into the illusion that everything we have accomplished was due to our achievement. Rather than recognizing it was all God working in, with, and through us, we might stumble into thinking too highly of ourselves (Romans 12:3). We need to align ourselves with God, avoid thinking of ourselves loftier than we ought, and esteem others more highly than ourselves (Philippians 2:3).

While many of these assertions are simple to say and difficult to execute, these ideas bless us with renewed humility. They also remind us of God’s absolute control and our dire need to rely on Him for everything. Our walk as believers needs to incorporate them if we are to remain steadfast in God’s will, alongside obedience to His commands. If we proactively pursue Jesus Christ and surrender to Him in every avenue possible, everything will fall into its appropriate place (Matthew 6:33).

It may take substantial time to feel the same proximity to God we once enjoyed. As we turn back to Him in repentance, He will be faithful to stay true to His Word. We must pray diligently like King David, who asked that God restore the joy of salvation (Psalm 51:12). It’s critical for us also to draw near to God again as He is still within our reach (Isaiah 55:6). Sin always carries inevitable consequences, but it doesn’t mean you can lose your salvation. Salvation is an eternal gift that God will not take away from you if you are a true convert. It’s our heavenly rewards and blessings that could be compromised if we turn away from God’s plans for us. It’s important to note that when we walk in the faith, the visible evidence in our lives demonstrates that we’re believers. If you haven’t pursued any transformation at all, and you walk in all the same sins you used to before your conversion, then this ought to be cause for alarm. 

God doesn’t expect us to arrive at perfect sanctification on this side of Heaven, but it would be unusual for a convert not to see some level of transformation. Over time God will support you and lead you to overcome more and more sin. Essentially, our behavior should look different from when we were non-believers. Demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit such as joy, gentleness, peace, love, self-control, faithfulness, kindness, and goodness are the hallmark of a believer (Galatians 5:22-23). Hopefully, over time you will grow to do so with a higher frequency as the Holy Spirit leads you.

Sometimes, God will discipline us somehow if we miss the mark in one or several areas for a prolonged period. After all, He corrects those whom He loves (Hebrews 12:6-11). In such cases, we would be wise not to disregard His correction but rather embrace it as part of being a believer. Running away from God, not praying, or disobeying Him further would only serve to prolong the process. Instead, if we seek Him diligently and pursue holiness in our lives, we will see this season pass and hopefully learn a great deal from it. Furthermore, we would have the opportunity to apply those lessons that we learned for the rest of our journey with God. 

Of course, not everything negative that transpires constitutes this kind of correction. Some things that happen to us may not have a spiritual connection, but they do serve some purpose in God’s grand scheme of things. Otherwise, we wouldn’t experience the situation in question to begin. It would also be prudent to continually seek God through life’s ups and downs, not just when things are amazingly good or terrible. When we take actions like this, it demonstrates to God that we want to be with Him, above all else, no matter what. It indicates that we don’t need some drastic event to become the catalyst for reaching out to Him. He wants us to pursue a relationship with Jesus Christ, the sole Mediator between God and us, not just treat Him as if He was some genie (1 Timothy 2:5-6).

No matter where you’re at or how far or close you feel to God, we all need to pursue Him daily. Amid all the chaos, noise, and various distractions the world offers — it’s not hard to get sidetracked from the real priorities in life. If you’ve tasted of God’s goodness, you know that there’s nothing on this earth that is worth more than an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ (Psalm 34:8). The fulfillment of peace, joy, and every aspect of God’s presence ought to be more valuable to us than anything else. Imagine how much more excellent Heaven will be if that’s what we experience on earth! Praise God for sending His only son Jesus Christ to die on the cross to redeem us from spending eternity in hell (Galatians 3:13-14). Now that God’s abundant grace and mercy facilitated this precious gift through His Son, Jesus Christ, it’s par for the course for us to desire to bring Him glory. After all, bringing God glory is our purpose here on earth (1 Peter 4:7-19).

Today’s video dives into James 1:19-27. You can find it at: SaviorandLord.com by clicking “Video Collection” or directly through the link in my bio. First, let’s consider some character traits that help us navigate life’s challenges. Whether you face a trial or desire to handle various social situations with finesse, I think this one has something for you. I pray that the insight blesses you today.  

Thanks for stopping by the channel. If you like the content and want to see more of it in the future, don’t forget to subscribe. Hit the notification bell to receive immediate updates when I upload new videos. May God bless you and your loved ones!