| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Deep discipleship” Our Bible verse for today: “I am sure of this, that he who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:6 (CSB) Our thought for today: “You are a work in progress” Recently I came across an interesting comparison and contrast between two of Jesus’ first disciples. The individuals involved were Judas and Peter. Early on, by all outward appearances, Judas was by far the more impressive of the two. Judas was successful in all the ways the world typically measures success. Since he was selected to manage the ministry funds, he must have been skilled at managing money. Therefore, he probably had a professional air about him and he probably came across as smooth, confident, and self-assured. A man to be admired! Peter, on the other hand, was somewhat buffoonish. Big, awkward, frequently saying and doing things that were inappropriate and embarrassing. A man easily dismissed as being socially inept and perhaps even a little dimwitted. But time, of course, revealed what was really true about the two men. Judas became a byword for betrayal, and Peter became a saint (a leader in the early church, a writer of Scripture, and one of the most beloved and revered figures in the New Testament.) What ultimately made the difference? Two things: discipleship and sanctification. Peter was a true follower of Jesus and a fully committed disciple. Judas was not. Peter went on to decades of faithful service and a place in glory, and Judas went to hell. Discipleship leads to sanctification. Sanctification is a fifty-cent theological term that simply means being set apart by God and for God, and then being progressively transformed into the person God wants you to be. Peter was set apart by God and for God. He was also committed to deep discipleship and consequently, he experienced incredible transformation as the Holy Spirit changed him into the man God wanted him to be. Sanctification does the same work in our lives. That’s what Paul was referring to in Philippians 1:6 (above). As a true disciple of Christ, as one committed to a lifetime of deep discipleship, the Holy Spirit is slowly but progressively transforming you into the man or woman God wants you to be. It is a lifelong process, and it won’t be complete until the moment you arrive in heaven – it will continue throughout your life. There’s an old saying that applies here. It goes, “I may not be who I should be, but thank God I’m no longer who I used to be.” And all God’s people said, “Amen!” I urge you not to get discouraged. You are a work in progress. Commit yourself to a lifetime of deep discipleship and then trust God to slowly transform you into the person He wants you to be. God bless, Pastor Jim (If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville |
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