Good morning, Family:

In our last devotional we talked about santification, being Holy, and the difference between the two. Even though both words are very similar they are still different.

We spoke about the aspects of santification being a daily act of worship, as Christians, once we are saved. Salvation makes our spirit holy immediately, because the Blood of Jesus has purified our spirit. Sanctification is the daily “workout” we have to do with our flesh or free will.

I have heard people say that the Bible stands for “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.” There is some real truth to that saying. The bible is an amazing love story between us and God. John 3:16 tells us that God loves us so much that he gave his one and only begotten Son as a permanent and complete blood sacrifice for all of our sins. All we have to do is to believe and confess that Jesus is the only begotten Son of God and that he was willingly crucified, died, buried and rose again, in victory, conquering sin and death, for us to be saved and our spirit made holy.

Once we receive the gift of salvation our spirit is made whole and blameless in God’s eyes, because all God sees now is the Blood of Jesus covering us.

Santification is what has to take place in our flesh. The part of you that still craves the sinful things. That is why it is so important for us to get intimate with the Word of God. The bible is full of testimonies, trials and tests that others that came before us have been through. We read and live out the instructions in the Bible so that we can live victoriously for Christ.

Galatians 5:16-24

English Standard Version

Keep in Step with the Spirit

¹⁶ But I say, ^(A)walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify ^(B)the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For ^(C)the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, ^(D)to keep you from doing the things you want to do. ¹⁸ But if you are ^(E)led by the Spirit, ^(F)you are not under the law. ¹⁹ Now ^(G)the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, ^(H)divisions, ²¹ envy,^[a] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that ^(I)those who do^[b] such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. ²² But ^(J)the fruit of the Spirit is ^(K)love, joy, peace, patience, ^(L)kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ^23 (M)gentleness, ^(N)self-control; ^(O)against such things there is no law. ²⁴ And those who belong to Christ Jesus ^(P)have crucified the flesh with its ^(Q)passions and desires.

We will continue to talk more about santification this week so be ready. Until then, I love you with the amazing love of the Lord.

Rev. Marcia Davis