Faith Like A Mustard Seed

The Church is doing many things today, yet there is only one ultimate goal. To reach this goal there is no doubting, no skepticism, no fatalism, and no middle ground. Once this goal is reached, some believe that everything would be perfect, and that hard times would finally be over, when in all actuality, the opposite happens.

What is the ultimate goal of the Church?

Truly, the Church operates in many areas, doing many things to advance the cause of Christ, and bring praise and glory to His name. But the whole goal of the Church, is Christ likeness. We are called to be like Christ. Now, Jesus Christ is holy, which is another way of saying that He is totally perfect. He is without sin, He is loving, He is merciful, He is just, He is forgiving, He is righteous, He gave up His place and His life, to reconcile us to God, and we are called to be just like Him.

How could we possibly be like Christ?

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, he who rejects this instruction does not reject man but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. 1 Thessalonians 4:3-8

It’s a matter of sanctification. To be sanctified means to be set apart, to be made holy, or to be purified. This is what has to happen, if we are going to be like Christ. It all starts with faith. Once we have faith in Jesus Christ, there is still more to be accomplished in our lives. God wants us to be set apart for Him. He wants to make us holy, just as He is holy.

…for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:16

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Ephesians 5:3

If we are not being sanctified, then we are not accomplishing God’s will for His Church. Naturally, if the head is sanctified, then all the other parts must also be sancified. If the parts are not being sanctified, then the head is not able to effectively use those parts, and they are tried, as if through fire.

If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. John 15:6

“The axe is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.” Luke 3:9

However, as the body is being sanctified, instead of fading away, more trials and hard times come. The faithful endure, as this is yet another part of sanctification, and they will have their reward, for their faith will be unfailing.

Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:3

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10

Remain faithful, and be sanctified, which is God’s will. This will not happen in just one day. This is something that happens over time. That’s why many call it their walk with Christ. Day by day we are being sanctified, as long as we are obedient, and filled with the Holy Spirt.

I will talk about those two things later in the week along with opposition, as this series on the Unstoppable Church continues…

Dave Earley http://www.init-2-winit.org/forum http://www.init-2-winit.org/faithlikeamustardseed