FOLLOW GOD'S WORD AND HIS SPIRIT FOR A SUCCESSFUL JOURNEY
The basic and normal (though rare) Christian "trip-tik" follows the following route.
Justification (forgiveness, reconciliation, regeneration).
Edification (growth in grace [called progressive sanctification]).
Evangelization (telling other people the good news).
Entire Sanctification (receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit, which cleanses the believer from the Old Man [the sin nature]).
Edification (ongoing growth in grace).
Glorification (final victory over sin and death).
Edification (growth in grace [called progressive sanctification]).
Evangelization (telling other people the good news).
Entire Sanctification (receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit, which cleanses the believer from the Old Man [the sin nature]).
Edification (ongoing growth in grace).
Glorification (final victory over sin and death).
This is just a quick overview of God's plan for the life of a redeemed (saved) person. There are various terrains (deserts, mountains, plains, forests, rivers, and seas) as well as personal paths (relationships, trials, opportunities, obligations, missions, schoolings, and spiritual refreshings).
God includes our personal paths on our "trip-tik." He knows what is coming; He knows what we need; He knows the way of deliverance, and He gives us everything we need for life and godliness. But it is up to us to be aware of and alert to the specifics, the details of our journey. The closer we are to Him and the more faithful we are to His calling and leading, the more likely we are to know His will and to go in His direction.
If we get off course, God is ready, willing, and able to forgive, reconcile, and restore us. Those side trips will cost us, but God wants us to get back on course quickly and reclaim as much of our spiritual journey as we can and to reach His planned destination. But don't be presumptuous, and don't be negligent: don't lag behind, rush ahead or stray to the left or right. Faith and faithfulness to His leading is the surest way of victory in this life and to life everlasting.
Have a blessed trip.
