When my friend became a Christian, she became a totally different person. She fell in love with Jesus and she fell in love with Scripture. She radiated humility and joy, enthralled with the knowledge that her Creator loved her so much that He would save her from her sin. She wanted everyone to know about the good news of the Gospel, so she began to share little stories from the Bible with friends in the community, shrouding details in layers of caution, but still proclaiming the truth of Jesus. She was entirely transformed by the Gospel, and she continues to evangelize with everyone she meets, hoping to see them similarly transformed. 

Sometimes I forget that I am living as a transformed person. I forget the miracle that has happened within me because of God’s good work. God’s transforming work of justification and ongoing work of sanctification continue to make me more like Jesus, even if I don’t see it. I am grateful for my friend who reminds me how transforming the Gospel is.

God’s work of justification is a transformative, instantaneous thing that occurs when we profess faith in Jesus Christ as our savior. When we profess faith in Jesus Christ, our identity is transformed from that of lost, hopeless human to beloved heir of the kingdom of God. Our sins are wiped clean, forgiven in an instant, and we are covered by Jesus’s righteousness. We stand before our Father God beloved, cleansed, justified, righteous, and hopeful of the eternal life with him that we have been promised.

Following this moment of instantaneous transformation, the Holy Spirit began his ongoing work of sanctifying us. He continually works to make us more holy and to grow us in spiritual maturity. Even in our most frustrating days, God is transforming us. Even when we feel so insignificant and when we are increasingly aware of our brokenness, God is making us more holy. He is faithful to complete this work. 

Let us go forth into today remembering that while our sin is great, the grace of our Heavenly Father is even greater, and we stand before him transformed.