Dying a slow death...

Sanctification.  The dictionary defines it as, ' the state of growing in divine grace as a result of Christian commitment after baptism or conversion.'  Huh??  Well, that explains it....not!  

Did you know the early Jews did not look forward to heaven?  Not directly anyway.  In Genesis, chapter 17, the Bible records that everything that mattered to the Jews, everything that they lived for, involved either land or family. (descendants)  They were blessed with great gifts of property and family from God and that became the focus of their lives.  So, imagine how confused they were when Jesus spoke these words in Luke, chapter 14?

If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters - yes, even his own life - he cannot be my disciple...in the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.

EVERYTHING!  Family, land, possessions.  Wow.  Now, understand that these things were not bad, and Jesus certainly did not want them to hate their families.  The point was that He was to be number one above everything in their lives.  Even the good things must be secondary. 

Sanctification begins when I die to self every day.  Jesus is my Saviour, but is he my Lord? 

Therefore, I am dying a slow death every day as I seek to have less of me, and more of Him.