The Path_Grow In Love

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” –John 15:9

Sanctification.  The indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  The born-again experience, whereby we are brought out of the darkness of sin and called into the light of holiness.  Delivered from all sin and walking in the newness of life.  This is made possible because of Jesus; because he lived, died, resurrected, and ascended back to heaven.  As was mentioned last week, the sanctified life is just that, life.  It is a life in Christ, with Christ, and through Christ. 

It is a life in Christ.  That means you are in fellowship with Him, unified with Jesus.  You declare and manifest Jesus as the Lord of your life.  It's Christ in you.  Christ has filled you with his Spirit.  Each day he is guiding you, directing you, correcting you, and leading you.  This sanctified life is life through Christ.  Jesus gives us power through the Holy Ghost.  It is by his grace that we are saved, and by His grace that we are kept.  The same power that created the universe lives in you to keep you free from sin.  The Holy Ghost will lead you on the path of righteousness each day. Jesus leads, you follow and live.  This is the life of a true disciple of Christ.  This relationship, much like a godly marriage, will not continue without continued commitment.  Christ has given all, you/we must do the same.  Every day.  With such a commitment comes the necessary avenues of grace to cultivate a deeper union.  Firstly, by praying to God.  The Christian who is often praying will stay in the will of God.  A sinful man will not pray.  A selfish man will not pray.  A self-centered man will not pray.  A carnal man will not pray.  Pray is both a privilege and a proving ground.  It is among the disciplines of faith set forth by God to bring us along in relationship with Himself, and with His Son Jesus.  Coupled with prayer is the habitual study of scripture.  If prayer is water to our spiritual man, the Bible is bread.  It is a fundamental nourishment that we need to grow.  The Apostle Peter called it milk, writing: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” We must pray, we must read the Bible, but also, we must make every effort to fellowship with other like-minded believers.  God’s church is not a building, but a body.  A body of believers that are determined to make it to heaven and disciple others to do the same.  Walking in the light of God is not a walk that we have to walk alone.  These are means that God has designed which will keep us in fellowship with the Holy Spirit.  If we commit to them the Holy Spirit will guide us, and we follow in faith.  As we follow, our faith grows.  As we grow, we bear fruit unto holiness.  This is abiding in the vine.  In the same chapter (John fifteen), Christ likened this relationship to a vine and branch.  The branch cannot bear fruit unless it is connected to the vine.  Jesus is the vine, and we are the branch.  When we abide in Jesus, as it says in the book of Galatians, we bear the fruit of “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”  These will naturally occur in your heart and therefore they will be in your life.  Your children will see it, your spouse will know it, and the world around you will wonder; what has happened to this man (or woman)?  Tell them!  You are sanctified!  This is growing in grace.  Not sinning and repenting.  Not living in condemnation and failure.  Not tormented by sin.  No!  Delivered!  Redeemed!  The sanctified life is a life of victory and deliverance!  A life of walking in perfect love towards God and man, guided by the welcomed instruction of the Holy Ghost. 

Some time ago I came across a married couple.  The husband was near death, and had to be cared for, but his wife was still very able. She sold everything to go live in a nursing home with him.  Sold their house, cars, most of their clothes.  All their worldly possessions could fit in a suitcase.  Yet, with all this gone they were some of the richest people I had ever met.  Over sixty years had gone by.  Sixty years of good times and bad.  Laughter and heartache.  Prosperity and poverty.  Yet through it all their love was only growing and growing, while their commitment remained steadfast.  This is a sanctified life. This is a life with Jesus Christ. A life of perfect love.  Continue, and grow, in that love.