sanctification

Sanctification is a lot like climbing a mountain. Not just a small hike of a few hours, but a huge mountain, like Mt. Everest. I read that in order to climb Mt. Everest, the climbers will slowly ascend to higher and higher "camps" and spend a night or two up there, and then descend to a lower elevation, just to adjust to the altitude. They slowly work their way up the mountain in this way, until they are able to reach the top.

At the beginning of their climb, they could never survive at the top. The lack of oxygen would kill them. But slowly, they work their way higher, getting more and more used to the rare conditions on top of the mountain. This is how we are sanctified. We do not merely go from a "sea-level" Christian to ascending the highest mountain in the world, but we slowly make our way up, sometimes ascending, at times descending, but continually pushing onward. There will be high peaks and there will be valleys. God takes us through these. We are conditioning to be sanctified.

Yet, who is it leading us or pushing us up this "mountain?" Sanctification can only come from God. As Romans 4:5 says, "However, to the man who does not work but trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness." We by ourselves cannot be sanctified. Imagine someone dropping you off at the bottom of Mt. Everest and saying, "go climb it." It would never happen. We need the guides, the equipment, the maps, and the routes. God acts as these things, guiding and preparing us.

However, somewhere along the climb, the climbers have to dig deep into their souls ask themselves if getting to the top of the mountain is really worth it. Their brains are wheezing from the altitude, their bodies are numbed by the cold, and it all seems pointless. They have to decide if their journey is worth risking their lives, giving it all up, and pushing for the summit.

We too must make this decision. God has equipped us with all the right gear. He's our guide, pushing us into every step. But somewhere along the path, we must choose. Will we respond to the highs and lows God is taking us through? Will we risk our very lives for the summit?