In today’s culture there’s a tendency to define humility as basically just another word for uncertain. To be humble is to live in the land of doubt, to be without conviction, to be constantly unsure. A humble person, we are told, avoids black and white statements and doesn’t make any claims to know the absolute truth. The goal of this kind of false humility I am describing is to avoid any firm positions so that you don’t offend against anyone else’s personal feelings or perception of the truth, it’s also a way to avoid committing to the truth yourself since you’re so “unsure”, but the end result of this false humility is actually self-exaltation above God.

This is because true humility is not uncertainty or unbridled open-mindedness, no rather True Humility is submission to God as He is revealed in his Word. This is taught in Prov 22:4 when it says “Humility is the fear of the Lord.” Humility is a disposition of the heart towards God that recognizes that He is God and you are not. To be humble is to be God-centered, it is to be focused and oriented towards glorifying God. What He says is good, we praise. What He says is bad, we condemn. When he says jump, we ask “how high?” So what that means is- to claim uncertainty where God is clear is not humility, it is the height of pride. But it’s a bit of a paradox because as soon as you stand firm on God’s word and proclaim the truth the world will accuse you of arrogance.

To the world, submission to God’s word is pride. But in reality, Pride is the opposite. Pride is a refusal to submit to God and His word. When the Bible says in Prov 23:13 that if you spank your child you will deliver his soul from Hell, humility obeys faithfully even though the world screams that you are going against the modern consensus, it is Pride disguised as gentleness that says “no you don’t need to do that, haven’t you heard of gentle parenting?”

When the scriptures say that God created the whole world in six days it is humility that believes Genesis 1, even though to the world it looks arrogant to go against the scientific priesthood.

When John says that if you believe in the Son then you have eternal life, it is a sneaky pride that says “well, this certainly doesn’t apply to you. Do you really think that God would forgive you? No that’s not possible, I mean look at all the sin in your life, you might as well just give up!” But it is the humble heart that submits to the assurance found here and says with gratitude “I believe in Jesus, and that means that despite my feelings, despite my doubts, I’m saved!”

See there’s a temptation when what is revealed to us in scripture clashes with our corrupt leanings to claim that doubting these things is really the humble thing to do, but doubting God is prideful. We are called to submit to God’s word and conform our feelings, our thoughts, and even our doubts to what is revealed to us in scripture. So reject pride in all its forms, and come in humility to drink from the wellspring of Scripture.

This exhortation was given to the King's Church in Spokane Valley WA on March 2 2024

1 Corinthians 13:1-7 "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things."

Introduction
I once heard a story about a Godly man who was loved by his family and adored by his church. A model-Christian of sorts. When he died, his son inherited his Bible. And his son discovered that if he dropped his father's Bible on its spine it would invariably land by opening up to 1 Cor 13. That's because this Godly man spent so much time meditating, studying, and praying over 1 Cor 13 that he left a permanent imprint on the spine of his Bible.

Now I am not saying that you must, as a rule, spend a disproportionate amount of time in 1 Corinthians 13 but I am saying that you will never waste time learning about and applying the love of God to your life. As a matter of fact, without this love, you will only waste time. What is it that you want do? What do you want accomplish? You can ace a test, you can get promoted, get a raise, know all the right doctrine, and win the lottery, but without love it’s all for nothing.

Summary
This case, that without love nothing you do matters, is what’s being made by Paul here in verses 1-3. He even ends with saying that if you laid down your life as a martyr, but didn’t have love, it profits nothing.

So what is love? Paul goes on to describe what it is, it’s not snooty, not a sin sniffer, not envious, not self-centered, it has manners, and, this is what we will focus on today, it is not suspicious. This is the focus of verse 7.
The word for “bear” here means to cover, so it is literally “love covers all things” Meaning love seeks to cover the sin of others. The love of Christ instills in us the instinct to conceal sin, not to get excited about juicy exposé’s or be eager to to catch someone in sin. Now this doesn’t mean that you seek to “cover” someone’s sin by not confronting it when necessary. This is speaking of a disposition in your heart, not a reason to avoid dealing with sin when it’s within your power to do so. There is a big difference between excitedly and loudly grilling someone on their sin and reluctantly and quietly confronting someone on their sin.

In the same way to “believe all things” doesn’t mean that the most gullible person in the room is by default the most loving, no we are to be resolute in the doctrines of scripture, not “driven and tossed by the waves” as James puts it. To “believe all things” is not in regard to doctrine but in regard to other people. So to be loving is to assume the best of other people. Love believes that the motives of others are pure and even in the face of being wronged love holds on to the possibility that the offender didn’t intend to offend. In other words, in order for someone to prove to you that another person has bad motives they must have rock solid evidence.

And even when there is rock hard evidence, love “hopes all things.” Love hopes that, even though it looks bad, it can be clarified. Even though the evidence is really pointing to them being guilty, love hopes it’s not true. This is what we call giving the benefit of the doubt. Paul demonstrates this for us in 1 Cor 11:18, in the face of solid evidence, Paul says he believes it “in part”. He is eager to give the benefit of the doubt.

And when after love has covered, believed, hoped and a person is proven to have been a bad actor. Then, at that point, love endures. Love endures being sinned against gracefully, doesn’t grow bitter, but is long suffering when it comes to being sinned against.

All this means that suspicion is not permitted in the Christian heart. When I say 'suspicion' I’m talking about the tendency to impute bad motives where there is not a preponderance of evidence. For example: “Oh that person doesn’t like me.” “I wonder if they’re talking about me...” “My professor gave me a bad grade because he doesn’t like me.” “I didn’t get that job because the recruiter had bad intentions.” “I didn’t get that promotion because my boss is envious of me!” All of these things are suspicion. Spurgeon once said about suspicion “Suspicion makes a man a torment to himself and a spy towards others. Once you begin to suspect, and causes for distrust will multiply around you, and your very suspiciousness will create the major part of them. Many a friend has been transformed into an enemy by being suspected.” 

So we’re going to look at three biblical examples of how suspicion ruins lives and these three examples will illustrate three points:

1. Suspicion makes you blind to sin

2. Suspicion turns friends into enemies

3. Suspicion makes you blind to the Holy Spirit

Eli & Hannah - Suspicion makes you blind to sin.
1 Samuel 1:13-18 "Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken. 14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee. 15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the Lord. 16 Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto. 17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him. 18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad."

Obviously, Eli is the one who is guilty of suspicion here. Hannah is having a hard time, so she does what a Godly woman should do and brings it to the Lord in prayer, and out of nowhere Eli accuses her of being drunk. No benefit of the doubt, no hope, no attempt at looking at her in the best light possible, he just vomits out an accusation. And you might say “well at least he’s willing to call out sin!” Not really! His sons are in the other room taking advantage of women and stealing sacrifices and he's doing nothing about it!

A constant Suspicion of sin makes you blind to sin. A rejection of the love of Christ makes you blind to sin.

But notice how Hannah responds. She could’ve really let him have it, “some pastor you are!” Nope instead she gently defends herself and gives him honor by calling him “Lord” Hannah is exemplifying how love endures all things.

David’s Condolences - Suspicion turns friends into enemies.
2 Sam 10:1-4 "And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead. 2 Then said David, I will shew kindness unto Hanun the son of Nahash, as his father shewed kindness unto me. And David sent to comfort him by the hand of his servants for his father. And David's servants came into the land of the children of Ammon. 3 And the princes of the children of Ammon said unto Hanun their lord, Thinkest thou that David doth honour thy father, that he hath sent comforters unto thee? hath not David rather sent his servants unto thee, to search the city, and to spy it out, and to overthrow it? 4 Wherefore Hanun took David's servants, and shaved off the one half of their beards, and cut off their garments in the middle, even to their buttocks, and sent them away."

Here we have a prime example. David is being kind and genuinely trying to comfort the people of Ammon and instead of being grateful the Ammonites make up this crazy story about how the comforters are really just spies and it amounts to: "Who is that David guy anyways? Yes, let’s humiliate his men and send them away that’ll show him." This turns out to be a huge mistake because this series of events culminates in chapter 11 with the Israelites destroying the ammonites in battle.

Suspicion turns friends into enemies. 

Ammon could've enjoyed a productive alliance with a powerful king but soured it with their suspicion.

Pentecost - Suspicion makes you blind to the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:11-13 "Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine."

In this passage the Spirit has just descended upon the church and appeared as tongues of fire and they’re performing a miracle by speaking in every nation’s language. And in the midst of all this, some of the people there are scoffing at the whole thing saying, “Oh they’re just drunk!” 

Here you have the Holy Spirit right in front of you performing miracle after miracle, and the suspicious man says “Ha! they’re drunk.” 

Suspicion makes you blind to the work of the Holy Spirit. 

Fortunately in this case those who were originally suspicious later repented and submitted to the Word. That's a glorious reality-- repentance is an option.
​
Conclusion
So, don’t be suspicious. Be loving. One, because the Bible says so, and two, because living a life of suspicion, as we have seen, is not worth it. It makes you blind. But if you live in the love of Christ, you will be a joy to everyone around you, and a light in a dark, sinful & suspicious age. The temptation is to let the sin that surrounds you become the lens through which you view the world, but the lens through which we view the world should be Jesus Christ and the forgiveness he offers. To peer through the lens of suspicion is to view the world in same way as Satan himself, the accuser of the brethren.

​Exhortation: Spend time going over this passage and where you fall short, plead with the Holy Spirit to give you these virtues. And do not rest until He answers your prayer.

After David killed Goliath on behalf of the Israelites he rightfully began to gain notoriety and respect in the eyes of Israel. This was good because as we know, and as David knew, he was anointed to be king over Israel one day. 

But King Saul didn’t take kindly to this development. He first shows this by chucking a javelin at David. Not once but twice. David somehow escapes and then Saul decides to put him in harms way by putting him in the battlefield, hoping he would get killed. Finally, he sends David on what he thought was a suicide mission to go and kill 100 Phillistines in order to marry one of his daughters. All of this was happening to the one who was anointed to be king over Israel.

Now as David is being hunted, envied and preyed upon it would’ve been tempting for him to doubt the promise of God. David could’ve easily given into thoughts like “How can God’s promise that I’ll be king come true when Saul is trying to kill me?! You know maybe God didn’t mean it, maybe I misunderstood, or maybe God failed.” But David does none of that, instead he clings to the Lord and stays faithful.

And it’s only after all these things happen that we can see how all of Saul’s attacks backfired. Every single plot he threw at David only resulted in David gaining more respect and favor from the Lord. It ended with the Israelites singing that “Saul has slain his thousands, but David his ten thousands!”

See this is how God works. What we might see as failures and dead-end problems are really being used by God to accomplish what He wants to do. We may not see how or why but we know, by faith, that that’s the case. The trials and tribulations that plague us in no way invalidate what God has said He will do. That includes political corruption, slanderous hit-pieces, trouble at work or with your business, & and struggling with infertility. God wants to bring reform. reconciliation, and fruitfulness. So, take heart and refuse to sulk. For our God is a loving Father and He rewards faithfulness.
This exhortation was given to Christ Church in Moscow Idaho on Jan 21, 2023 AD

INTRODUCTION
How would you answer an inquirer who asks, “So why are all you Bible-thumpers called ‘Christians’ anyways?” There are two common answers. The first and most common response is something along the lines of, “We were maliciously named ‘Christians’ by the pagans in the ancient world and we ran with it!” The second answer is something approximating, “God called us ‘Christians’ and so Christians we are!”

Whether you are inclined to the first or the second answer, both of those answers are dependent on how one verse is interpreted. That verse is Acts 11:26, “And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” Upon close examination you’ll notice that Luke does not explicitly tell us who called the disciples Christians. There are only two possible options, either the pagans called them Christians or God did. In the pages that follow, I will be making the case that it was God who named His new creation and not the pagans. First I’ll set the stage with some background arguments and then look at Acts 11:26 itself.

NAMING AS DOMINION
Creation, naming and taking dominion are inexorably linked. It is no coincidence that shortly after creating Adam, and giving him the task of subduing and taking dominion, God brought all the animals to Adam to be named. Adam’s first exercise in taking dominion was that of giving names to the creatures that God placed under his authority. To be given the privilege of naming is to be given the privilege of participating in creation itself. This is why Paul’s statement in Eph 3:15 is provocative: “... the father from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.” Letham elaborates: “He is the creator and Lord of all family groups. These families are named. Naming denoted sovereignty in the ancient world, so here the sovereign authority of the Father over all peoples is in view.”

This pattern —creation, dominion & naming— is demonstrated in God’s re-naming of Abram to Abraham. Calvin ably points out that God’s covenant with Abraham was a new creation: “As soon as it was said, ‘I will be a God to thee and to thy seed after thee,’ the Church was separated from other nations; just as in the creation of the world, the light emerged out of the darkness.” Dominion over the whole world is then promised to Abraham through the gospel (Romans 4:13). Then Abraham is re-named in accordance with his new nature— the father of multitudes.

This is again repeated with the re-naming of Jacob to Israel and continues to be demonstrated every time a baby is born. We follow after our Father in naming our kids as we participate in the creation of immortal souls. No parents would hand the birth certificate over to their enemies, at least no good parents. Certainly our God would not abdicate in naming His new creation.

THE IMPOSSIBILITY OF THE ALTERNATIVE
When Perpetua Vibia was awaiting execution for being a Christian in the early second century her father came to her and attempted to convince her to recant. She answered by pointing to a pitcher of water and asked “Can it be called by any other name than what it is?” Her father answered “No.” She then drove her point home saying “Neither can I call myself anything but what I am—a Christian.” This is the sentiment we should all share. To be a Christian is to be a follower of Christ, to be in submission to the Messiah. Anyone who has acknowledged the Lordship of Jesus Christ, no matter what they wish to be called, has become a Christian. That means that it had to be this way.

As the Apostle said “there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) and we should count it an honor to wear that name as a covenant people, as Peter does: “Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.” (1 Peter 4:16 ) Having been mystically united with the Saviour, our new nature knows no other name than Christ. This means the name ‘Christian’ is fitting. It would be quite surprising for the world to give such a fitting name, indeed they are not capable of such a thing. The ability and privilege to name belongs to the second Adam by whom, and for whose sake, we are called Christians.

There was at least one alternative name tried on for size and that was the term ‘Galileans’. It was more of a slur than a name. The Jews were often quick to point out that Jesus and His followers were Galileans in an attempt to brand their teaching as trailer-park philosophy. This name, although it benefited the enemies of the Church, didn’t stick. Instead, the name that benefited the party of the apostles prevailed. Albert Barnes, one of the Princeton theologians, notes that in the name Christian “There was nothing dishonorable. To be the professed friends of the Messiah, or the Christ, was not with Jews a matter of reproach, for they all professed to be the friends of the Messiah. The cause of reproach with the disciples was that they regarded Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah; and hence, when their enemies wished to speak of them with contempt, they would speak of them as Galileans.” Given that the name ‘Christian’ was a glory to the Church and a detriment to their enemies, it is improbable that the name was concocted by the very enemies who sought their destruction.

ACTS 11:26 “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.” As noted in the introduction, the text doesn’t explicitly say who called the disciples Christians. Until this point the church was largely made up of Jews, but for the first time a large crowd made up of Jews and Gentiles was assembling. What were they to be called? A new name was needed. Many commentators point to the fact that Antioch was known for handing out mocking nicknames and assume with much certainty that the Antiochians did the naming. But it is unlikely, in light of the utility found in the name, that the Antiochians would’ve given the Church such an advantage. They were known for giving defamatory names, not accurate and helpful names. However, Antioch being known for giving names and being an economic juggernaut is not altogether irrelevant. Antioch was the place people went to make a name for themselves, like the modern day LA or New York. As a result of this success Antioch seems to have grown too big for its britches and took on the authority of handing out names. So when God names his church in Antioch, it is as if God is usurping the authority of Antioch by naming His people in the city that gives names. In effect, Antioch was displaced by the New Jerusalem and today Antioch is known more for the preaching of Chrysostom than its ancient success.

Another factor diminishing the likelihood of the name having a human origin is the use of a peculiar greek word χρηματίζω (chrēmatizō). This is the word that is translated “called” and in the New Testament it is uniquely used to denote a call from God. For this reason Barnes speculates that it was possibly Paul and Barnabas who did the naming: “It cannot be denied… that the most usual signification [of chrēmatizō] in the New Testament is that of a divine monition, or communication; and it is certainly possible that the name was given by Barnabas and Saul.” If this were a communication of human origin one would expect the use of the word καλέω (kaleō) as it is used in Matthew 23:7, “To be called (καλέω) by men.” Thus Matthew Poole says confidently that the naming was “by Divine authority, for the word (chrēmatizō) imports no less.”

Now it’s no secret that greek word studies have often functioned as the box-spring of many procrustean beds. The broader context and biblical theme must be determinative in allowing scripture to convey its organic meaning. In this case, in order for the name to be of divine origin one would expect the broader theme of scripture to push us in that direction. The question should be asked, were the disciples in Acts anticipating that God would give them a name?
The answer is found in the prophecy given in Isaiah 62:2 “And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the LORD shall name.” Here we have a prophecy concerning the New Covenant. It is promised that after the gentiles are brought into the covenant that God would give these new people a new name. This is exactly what we see in Acts 11 as the church explodes and gentiles are brought in and they are given a new name. One can hope that a student of the Word would’ve been expecting to find a name given at that point. Along with that expectation, it is unavoidable that a straightforward reading of Isaiah 62:2 disqualifies the possibility of the name having a human origin as it will come from the mouth of the LORD. Matthew Henry has no problem connecting the dots here and does so with much certainty: “Thus the scripture was fulfilled, for so it was written concerning the gospel church thou shalt be called by a new name and it is said to the corrupt and degenerate church of the Jews The Lord God shall slay thee and call his servants by another name (Is 62:2, Is 65:15)”

Although a “new name” signifies more than a mere title, it certainly doesn’t signify any less. Here we have a name given and in so doing much is implied. To be called a ‘Christian’ would be a terrifying thing were it not for the imputation of His righteousness, for none of us could live up to such a name. But as it is we have the opportunity to glory in the fact that we are called by His name. We have the great privilege of echoing the dying words of the martyr and church father Polycarp: “I am a Christian!”

Sources:
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The Holy Trinity: In Scripture, History, Theology and Worship (Revised) Pg. 80

Genesis 17 Calvin's Commentaries (biblehub.com)

Vibia Perpetua, the young Roman mother who chose Christ | The Torchlighters

Acts 11:26 Commentaries: and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. (biblehub.com)

Acts 11:26 Commentaries: and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. And for an entire year they met with the church and taught considerable numbers; and the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch. (biblehub.com)

Matthew Henry’s Commentary Volume 6 Pg. 145

Pulpit Commentary, Acts 11:26 cf. Bishop Wordsworth

As a direct result of our salvation in Christ Jesus we are supposed to walk “in newness of life.” as Paul says in Romans 6:4. But what exactly does that mean? Does it somehow mean we have no past and our life is constantly restarting? Well no of course not.

See when we think of the word ‘new’ we normally think of something that has a recent origin like a brand new car rolling out of the factory. But when the Bible uses the word ‘new’ that is not normally what it means. For ex: the gospel, which is the bedrock of the *new* Covenant predates the New Covenant by hundreds of years, we know this because Paul tells us in Galatians that the Gospel was preached to Abraham. This same new covenant mentioned in Hebews 7:22 is also called the “eternal covenant” in Hebrews 13:20. New and eternal? At the sme time? What kind of newness is this?

This is the same newness you experience when you hug one of your children after a growth spurt. It’s the same kid but everything’s more mature; he’s taller, has a bigger frame, and doesn’t squirm like he did when he was 6months old. This is the same newness you and your wife experience after you squeeze in a much needed date night. It’s the same newness of fellowship you experience when you confess your sin to a brother or sister and ask forgiveness. This newness is one of quality, it has to do with maturity, deepening, and reconciliation. And it is this newness that is supposed to seep into every inch of your life as a result of receiving a new heart from God.

So as a new-year dawns and Christmas break and PTO end and you return to everyday life, remember that life in Christ should always be new. In Christ your boring job can be made new with holy ambition. In Christ your marriage can be renewed with joy and fellowship. In Christ your bitter wounds can be healed and replaced with wisdom. All of this can be done by the same power that raised Christ from the dead. So Come in faith and welcome to Jesus Christ.
This exhortation was given to Christ Church Downtown, Moscow ID on 12/31/23

Recently there’s been a lot of cultural excitement over the prospect of becoming a high-value man. As Christians we need to be examining these things in light of scripture and it’s relevant to both men and women because you either are a man, married to one, raising one, or you're going to be married to one.

A high-value man has a six-pack, makes a ton of money and can get any girl he wants. He also owns his own business, doesn’t spend time with those “below him”, and is of course more valuable than his wife because “what does she bring to the table?”

It is no coincidence that the top influencers in this space are nietzsche-quoting, god-hating, men. This is because the soul of nietzsche’s teaching is that you would become the top guy, the “ubermench” as he would call it. For nietzsche it’s all about man. You see the problem? The Bible says that wisdom begins with the fear of God, nietzsche says it starts with the love of man. The sons of nietzsche preach self-centered power, the sons of God preach humble submission to another man, Jesus Christ.  

Now the answer is not to Jesus-juke your way into an effeminate, beta Christianity where it’s okay to be bad at your job and unambitious. No, men were made to chase glory (2 Cor 3:18). This innate desire, the desire for glory, is what’s twisted and perverted in our culture today. But glory is not found in having multiple sexual partners. Glory is found in having one smiling wife surrounded by glowing children like Saturn & her moons. Common signs of glory are spit-up on your tie, bags under your eyes & a wife that’s happy to see you. Glory is being so diligent in your work that you stand before CEO’s and stuff money away for your grandchildren.

The other path is vanity. Men who are mislead by these compromised gurus will at the end of the day find that when they go to pound their chest, it is hollow. They will find that Stoicism leads to death and Nietzche, though he strove for nobility, does not have an empty grave. The conclusion is that only Jesus Christ can claim to be the pinnacle of masculinity. Follow Him.

A man who really desires to be "high value" has trusted in Jesus Christ, he has confessed his sins, and humbled himself before God. In Christ is true value which outperforms our culture’s monopoly money value system any day of the week. In Christ is true glory & value.

Much is made in the evangelical church, and rightly so, of sanctification. Sanctification is the process by which we are lead by the Spirit to continually die to our sin and be conformed to the Image of Jesus.

And it shouldn’t surprise you to hear that the Bible also makes a big deal out of sanctification. Just a cursory look at the scriptures will reveal that sanctification is necessary. Holiness is not a mere suggestion and aiming to be Christlike is not only for elite Christians. In 2 Thes 2:13 Paul even says that we “are being saved through sanctification by the Spirit,”

Now it has to be acknowledged that this is not an easy process. Being sanctified often means being crushed by trials, being terrorized by your own sin, and putting in the sweat equity necessary to help others along in this journey. Given the importance and gravity of this process it is worth asking the question “how? How does this work? How can I obey the scriptures on this matter?” 

Well Paul tells us in 1 Tim 4:5 that the means by which something is sanctified are the Word of God and prayer. Do you desire to be sanctified? Then get in the word, daily. Do you want to be more like Christ? Then commune with Him in prayer. And every Lord’s Day, when the word of God is made visible to you in bread and wine. Come and partake. Come and be united with Christ and His body. Come in faith and welcome to Jesus Christ.

This exhortation was given to Christ Church, Moscow ID on Nov 12 2023 AD

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