Within the first year of becoming a Christian, I was taught this:

• Salvation is being saved from the penalty of sin
• Sanctification is being saved from the power of sin
• Glorification is being saved from the presence of sin

In the ensuing years I haven’t seen it better put; no matter how large or brainy the theological book was. The three phases of salvation, sanctification, and glorification encompass the whole of the Christian life.

Develop Your Walk in Sanctification 

For over fifty years now, I've been thinking about and discussing the sanctification piece, because most Bible-believing, Gospel-centered, Jesus-honoring churches agree on the salvation and glorification aspects.

It's critical that leaders continue to develop in their walk with Jesus in the sanctification process. This is part of being a life-long learner. We need to be fresh streams and not stagnant pools for those we lead.

Work Out the Sanctification God Has Worked in Salvation

Recently I was in touch with a church where there was some concern about the preaching pastor. Several felt he was preaching grace with no personal responsibility as it relates to spiritual maturity (the sanctification process). Philippians 2:12-13 captures this well:

Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence, but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

When it comes to ongoing spiritual growth and maturity, gospel imperatives (commands) always flow out of indicatives (accomplished facts, declarations about you). You always see both of them coupled in the New Testament. The indicatives always fuel the imperatives. But people can often forget about the imperatives altogether! We are saved unto good works (Ephesians 2:10). No responsive obedience is what Bonhoeffer calls “cheap grace, which has been the ruin of more Christians than any commandment of works.”

Do Not Fear What Will Mature You 

I just finished a great book (recommended by Pastor Mark) called Thirsting for God by Gary Thomas, and I want to end with a quote from Gary on this topic:

With the best of intentions, some pastors uphold the finished, completed work of Christ for our justification, to which we can add nothing. Bravo for that. But the notion that subsequent effort, on its own, discounts this or somehow even undercuts it, is a modern one. It is diabolically clever, and it has kept many believers in a state of immaturity and ineffectiveness. We fear the very thing that would usher in a greater maturity.

Have Dave Kraft speak at your church about Leaders Who Last.