Sanctification is the progressive narrowing of the gap between confessional faith and functional faith.

Thoughts from the book You can change by Tim Chester.

In a chapter dealing with identifying the cause of destructive behavior he deals with the thought of Christian not trusting God outside the church doors or outside of known Biblical truths.  He brings up a very interesting scripture that I have not noticed. Romans 14:23 “What ever does not proceed from faith is sin.”

“Not many people think of themselves as someone who believes lies. But every time we don’t trust God’s word we’re believing something else, and that something else is always a lie. If I get angry when I’m stuck in traffic, it’s because I don’t trust God.  I believe the lie that God is not in control or that His purposes for me are not good.”

Our negative emotions are a symptom of unbelief.  He states “When we are bitter or depressed, it is because we believe God is not being good to us or that He is not in control.

Not many Christians think of themselves as unbelievers.  More often it arises from functional or practical disbelief.  The problem lie in the gap between what we believe in theory and what we believe in practice.

Sanctification is the progressive narrowing of the gap between confessional faith and functional faith.

This is a powerful thoughtful truth that can help us in our daily walk.

read and meditate on these two scriptures.

Proverbs 4:18-23  and Jeremiah 17:5-8  Some scripture quotes from these passages (still read the complete tests).

But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. (In the car, work, life)

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.  Do not let them out of your sight,
    keep them within your heart;  for they are life to those who find them  and health to one’s whole body.

Romans 14:23 “What ever does not proceed from faith is sin.”   Wow, this chapter is an eye opener to trusting in God and resting in His faithfulness and control of my life every day.  

Join me in practicing this truth as we make our days brighter knowing that God is there. No shadow of turning from us (James 1:17)

So tomorrow we will get up and trust in God.  The day and our life will brighten up as we live with LIGHT N SIDE.