The grace of God is what sets us free from sin and is also the power that progressively trains us to turn away from sins that hold us back from God's will. The finished work of Christ does more than just justify us of our transgressions, but also sanctifies us and puts us in a process of transformation.
To many believers, grace is limited to simply being a power that pardons us of the guilt of sin, and that the work of changing our ways is up to us. As a result of this, two factions have been built – one side where people try to change their old ways on their own and another side where people don't even bother.
Both are twisted and incomplete pictures of the power of Christ. When Jesus comes into our hearts and as we put our complete faith and trust in Him, He gives us the power of the Holy Spirit to teach our hearts and minds to reject the sinful nature and to turn away from sin. While this seldom leads to overnight results, God continues to work in our lives in His own way.
Here are seven scriptures that teach us about God's process of sanctifying us and progressively changing us for good.
Titus 2:11-12 – For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self- controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age."
1 Corinthians 5:17 – "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
John 8:10-11 – "Jesus stood up and said to her, 'Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?' She said, 'No one, Lord.' And Jesus said, 'Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.'"
Ephesians 2:10 – "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them."
2 Timothy 2:21 – "Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonourable, he will be a vessel for honourable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work."
2 Thessalonians 1:11 – "To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power."
Galatians 5:16 – "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh."
