The Good News In 10 DaysSample

Day 10

One-Minute Devotion

One Thought, One Prayer, One Scripture

Sanctification is a life-long process in which the Holy Spirit is continually conforming us more and more to the likeness of Jesus Christ. He is changing our thoughts and feelings, our attitudes and our actions. He is making us ever more Christ-like in both thought and behavior. Paradoxically the more like Jesus we become the less highly we think of ourselves.

This truth can be clearly seen in how Paul viewed himself as he matured in Christ. In A.D. 56, about ten to twelve years before his death he wrote, "For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God" (1 Corinthians 15:9 NIV). The Holy Spirit continued His sanctifying work in Paul and six years later in A.D. 62 he refers to himself as "less than the least of all the saints" (Ephesians 3:8 NKJV). Near the close of his life, somewhere between A.D. 64 and A.D. 66, he wrote, "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief" (1 Timothy 1:15 NKJV).

Lord Jesus, continue Your holy work in me until I am fully conformed to Your very own image. In Your holy name I pray. Amen.