What good does it do for us to know what justification, sanctification, and glorification are? Well, I guess knowledge itself is good. Indeed, "the truth shall set you free" (John 8:32b). I myself love knowledge for its own sake. I am a theory guy. Give me calculus over physics. Give me Thucydides over archaeology. But practice isn't such a bad thing. Indeed, if we were not to do anything then we would cease to be. Furthermore, I am still fully aware that theory is useless without some sort of application.

The practice of justification is kind of a non-entity. By its very nature, justification has one simple step on my part--"Lord Jesus, forgive me for what is past. I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed. I am sorry. Please come into my life. I pray that by your power I may be made new and turn from my old ways. Please send down your Holy Spirit to be with me. In your holy Name, amen." Sanctification, on the other hand, is the one that requires the most work. I am sanctified by the saving grace of Jesus. I am sanctified by getting to know him more. I am sanctified by getting to know his word. I am sanctified by surrendering my will. I am sanctified by being open to the work and power of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification requires responsibility, openness, and work on my part. Glorification, on the other hand, has nothing to do with us. If we hold firm to Jesus, when we die, we will be glorified. There is no practice of glorification. It is an event at some point in the future for each Christian on earth at this time.

I think we must realise a few things about practice. First of all, we are weak and feeble. Without God, we are nothing. Second, the better we know God, the stronger we become. It is in getting to know him through the practice of sanctification, the application of our learning, that we become stronger. Third, as we become stronger, the easier it is for us to overcome temptations, and the easier it is for us to apply our knowledge. Fourth, the more we apply our knowledge and attempt to practice sanctification, the more we will be sanctified. Fifth, we will be attacked. Whenever we come nearer to God, the Devil is threatened. When he is threatened, like a rat in a corner, he lashes out.* We will be persecuted, tempted, and sometimes stretched to the limit in the process of sanctification. Sixth, there is no temptation we cannot overcome with the help of God. All we have to do is turn to him and we will overcome temptation, endure persecution, and not snap when stretched. Seventh, in the words of Oswald Chambers, "God does not save us from temptations; He succours us in the midst of them." That is to say that we will not be pulled from every hard situation. God will help us in them, and through them we will be made strong and sanctified. Eighth, in the words of Steven Curtis Chapman, "No better place on earth than the road that leads to heaven / no other place I'd rather be, yeah." Ninth, sanctification isn't always easy, but glorification's gonna rock!!

I realise you aren't supposed to do more than three points, but I once heard a ten-point sermon that lasted over an hour, and everyone thought it was normal. I thought it was bizarre. Guess that just shows that I'm Anglican through and through.

Eccentrically yours,

Matthew <><