THE OVERVIEW OF THE JOURNEY

GROUND RULES TO APPLY TO THIS PERSPECTIVE:

                1.       There are several models, from church history, that can give us a handle on what “sanctification” or the “journey” is like.  The key is that we take one model and apply it.

                2.       The stages are common ground in terms of description, but experienced by each believer uniquely as God works with each individual.

                3.       The stages are progressive and all necessary.  We cannot skip one completely.  The journey doesn’t allow that to happen.

                4.       You cannot complete one and check it off forever.  Each person will continue to revisit the stages throughout this earthly life.  Get used to this reality and accept it.

                5.       We move at different rates through the stages.  An individual may even regress, cycle, or get stuck at any stage.  It is part of the spiritual battle of two natures.  (Romans 7:7-25)

                6.       God is, thru the Holy Spirit, encouraging us and pushing us to grow, but we retain the ability to resist Him. (John 16:1-16, Galatians 5:16-26)

                7.       It takes diligent attention to grow spiritually toward holiness in a fallen world.

                8.       The church was established by our Lord to bring individual Christians assistance on this journey.  (Hebrews 10:19-25, Ephesians 4:1-16)

                9.       Out of the stages, each person discovers one stage that becomes the “default” setting where they’re most comfortable.  Usually when they move to this position they have quit growing for they are once again focused on comfort rather than growth.

           10.       Only God (and maybe an honest person) knows where anyone is at on the journey at a given time.