My wife Pam and I had a deck on the back of our last home and after about 25 years, it needed a little work. We renovated it by removing the old decking and replacing it with new. Our son Jason and I worked on it a little at a time in the evenings and we were shocked to discover what bad shape our deck was in! All Christians, whether we like it or not, are in the midst of a major moral renovation. This is a big project and this project has a big name: Our Sanctification. Today, let's visit the work site together for a little Progress Meeting with the Bible:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2a)

For this is God's will, your sanctification: that you abstain from sexual immorality, so that each of you knows how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not with lustful desires, like the Gentiles who don't know God. (1 Thess. 4:3-5)

You know by now that this transformation process doesn't happen immediately when we come to Christ—it takes time. Have you ever been disappointed to hear of a well-known Christian’s moral failure? Let's get a little closer to home: have you ever been disappointed with your OWN moral failure? Paul tells us in today's passage that our sanctification is "God's will." OK, but what is sanctification? Sanctification is the growing process during which we become more like God. Simply stated, regeneration is being born; sanctification is growing. As we begin to better reflect God’s image, we grow into what JI Packer calls “the family likeness." But this transformation is a cooperative effort. As we cooperate with God, He begins to change us; change we want, change how we use money, change how we spend time. There's plenty of work to do; after all, time and circumstance takes their toll on all of our lives! But when we intentionally open our lives to Jesus and allow Him to renovate those problem areas, His Presence transforms us in ways big and small. We might not even see it in ourselves, but others will see a picture of Jesus emerging through those renovations. Today, you may find yourself struggling with God over some of your own renovations, but don't worry; that means God is working in you for your sanctification. Remember, God loves you just the way you are, but He doesn't intend to leave you that way...and that is very Good News!