And we all, with unveiled faces, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18, ESV)
There are doctrines floating around out there that once one is saved, every issue of their past life has been removed and they are to walk in the perfection of the Lord. This is not the truth that the Bible teaches, even in the lives of the Apostles from the 3 plus years that they spent in ministry with the Lord Himself, to the years after the outpouring of Holy Ghost.
I believe, based upon my own studies as well as others such as Charles H. Finney, A.B. Simpson, and E.W. Kenyon that there is a Spiritual transforming sanctification process that takes place.
Many disagree with this. The idea is that when we are saved, everything is made right. The enemy has no place in your life anymore. That also is not accurate. The enemy has no RIGHT to a place in your life. You still have to retake the land so to speak. Is this scriptural?
Yes, it is. And a study of scripture with Holy Spirit as your guide will reveal this to you as well. For it is clear that there is a cleansing and purification process, moving from glory to glory, which is clearly an ongoing situation.
Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, (1 Peter 1:22 NASB)
As a practical example, we know many who get saved who are still addicted, still sick, still broke, and still have bad habits. The difference is that now they have the power of God to address those issues and be conformed to His likeness.
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29 NKJV)
A clear example and witness to these truths is found in Paul’s letter to the Philippians when he writes:
After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man [for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also [because He obeyed and so completely humbled Himself], God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus [b]every knee shall bow [in submission], of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess and openly acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord (sovereign God), to the glory of God the Father.
So then, my dear ones, just as you have always obeyed [my instructions with enthusiasm], not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursue spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ]. For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:8-13, AMP)
I posted this last bit of scripture, to firstly bring the point home, and secondly to silence the voice of condemnation that the spirit of religion would attempt to imprison you, by stating that it is “your” responsibility to work through the sanctification process, thus you are guilty of fallen short.
Verse 13, severs the enemy’s ability to take you, hostage, in the works-based theology by stating boldly that is the Lord who performs this.
For it is [not your strength, but it is] God who is effectively at work in you, both to will and to work [that is, strengthening, energizing, and creating in you the longing and the ability to fulfill your purpose] for His good pleasure. (Philippians 2:13, AMP)
Our only step in this process is found in obediently surrendering in “Rest” to the finished works of Jesus on the cross.
And this my friends, is a mere part of the GOOD NEWS!
Radical Disciples - A Remnant Revolution 