Sanctification / Christian Growth

The foundation of all our growth is Jesus Christ, the gospel of His life, death, and resurrection. The empowerment to live holy is Christ in us through faith in the love and goodness of God. If we do not have a firm foundation in who God is, then our growth will suffer, and we will fall victim to sin and doubt. If we do not correctly understand our identity as sons of Adam and sons of God, made in the image of God with value and worth, we will also struggle in our pursuit of godliness. Faith, hope, and love are the three great virtues whereby we press on into maturity in Christ and overcome the world. By aligning our lives with the heart, mind, and will of God, we transcend from one level of glory to another and abide in Jesus who is the Vine, and we the branches. Apart from Him we can do nothing. The goal of the Christian life here on this earth is not sinlessness but a deeper knowledge and relationship with God. The motive for our growth is to please God and glorify His name through our love and light, though we believe we are already fully loved by Him. We continue to pursue Him because we love Him and we continue to persevere in the faith so that we may finish well and enter into the eternal kingdom of God.