Progress is a Process

A Curious Musing

“For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” [Romans 7:7]

I know that I am not alone with Paul in this sentiment. Every Christian that I know has felt this way at one point of time or another. As Christians we long to be like Jesus, to display to the world His beauty and grace, though we find ourselves wondering why are we so slow to catch on.

We must realize that progress is a process. The definition of process is; { A series of actions, changes, or functions bringing about a result }. The good news is that while the progress is ours, the process belongs to God and His Holy Spirit. What we need to do is know the promises in God’s word, believe them, and stand firmly on them. “For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.” [Romans 4:3]

God’s Word says “… sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under the law but under grace.” [Romans 6:14] “For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He which has begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” [Philip. 1:5-6] You see, it is not by our own power that we are made righteous, but by His power.

I suppose I should warn you that the process is not always painless. For we are, “always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body”. [2 Cor. 4:10] “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” [Cor. 4:16]

Even the Messiah had a difficult journey while on this earth. “Though He were a Son, He learned obedience by the things which He suffered; and being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey Him.” [Heb. 5:8-9] “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” [Heb. 4:15-16] Since “…we all, with unveiled faces, behold as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” [2 Cor. 3:18]

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed,…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will, and to do, His good pleasure.” [Phil. 2:12-13] “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” [Rom. 12:2]

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, Who also will do it.” [1 Thes. 5:23-24] And, may the Lord deliver you from every evil work and preserve you for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen! [2 Tim. 4:18]