When we leap frog over the doctrinal for the practical, we leave something behind us that is necessary to our Christian life. For example, justification is first in order, then sanctification. One comes before two. You can always spot those who have reversed the sequence; invariably they emphasize their merits, rather than God’s use of means.
Justification is foundational; sanctification is structural. The former has to do with our standing, the latter with our state. The one is eternally settled, both now and forever; the second is settled in eternity, but is on going in this life. To understand and accept these twin truths is life and peace. Not to, is frustration and anxiety.
Paul said that he was, “…accepted in the beloved.” Yet in another place he wrote, “Wherefore we labour, that…we may be accepted of him.” The old war-horse didn’t live for God in order to be accepted, but because of his acceptance. A wife doesn’t try and please her husband so she may become his wife, but because she is his wife.
A.W. Tozer has an article in one of his books entitled, “God is Easy to Live With.” A dear preacher friend of mine tells of hearing an old pastor once say, “Never make your Christian life so difficult, that you can’t enjoy it.” The Old Testament priests when ministering to the Lord were told that, “…no wool shall come upon them…they shall not gird themselves with anything that causeth sweat.” God doesn’t want His people to “sweat it,” so to speak, in living for Him. And don’t forget, we are referred to as “priests” in the New Testament.
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