Justification & Sanctification go together like....

¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. (Romans 13:14, New King James Version)

^{Having moved all the way across the country from one coast to another, I am growing in a new church family. This morning I was challenged by a few things my new Pastor said - and therefore wanted to share them as to challenge you and to spur you onward towards Christ as well. He pointed out that justification (the act, process of or state of being justified by God) and sanctification (the state of growing in divine grace as a result of Christian commitment after baptism or conversion) go together and are what should be occurring in the lives of those who have salvation in Jesus.}

^{"We live life with the power of the Holy Spirit"...Instead of trying to accomplish it all on our own, and being bogged down by our disappointment of how we can't measure up to what we want to be - I found this reminder deeply encouraging. If we bend our knees and our hearts more, we come to find that the drudgery of living out life with our weak flesh becomes light, less of a burden as we are filled with the Spirit of the living God - His Holy Spirit.}

^{"The old has passed away"...No turning back, no turning back! Keep moving forward, not returning to the things you once did. Not to the way you once thought. We have died to sin (whence we accepted Jesus as our Saviour) and now we press onward, not looking back. Not allowing the temptations of anything to keep us from living our lives for Jesus, His glory.}

¹ If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. ³ For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:1-3, New King James Version)

Be encouraged sweet sisters to be dead to sin and to live in Christ! To live life to the fullest, pleasing Him who gave you life. We are justified by faith and are constantly being sanctified as we walk in the paths of righteousness and not in sin.

¹⁰ For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. ¹¹ And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, ¹² that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:10-12, New King James Version)

In Christ,

Elizabeth