I turned 29 years old in April and realized that a lot happened in my twenties. I am approaching five years of marriage. Hannah and I will welcome our third child in a few months. We have bought, sold, and rented homes. I started an MDIV program at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. I self-published a devotional in 2017, and a second book is being published later this year. I have had the privilege of leading, loving, and pastoring two student ministries in Virginia. God has been good to our family, and we are so blessed!
Oh, and I mysteriously accumulated 25 pounds over the past 10 years. I discovered that my parents cultivated good and bad habits in my life (if only they had parented a little better. Joking!!!). I’ve had my fair share of disappointments in life - rejected job applications, book proposals, and ministry ideas. I failed to achieve some of the goals I set. By choosing a variety of unwise decisions, selfish intentions, and sinful blunders, I hurt my wife, my family and myself. Praise God for His grace, and my wife for hers!
Reflecting on the past nine years, I realized that "I'm not where I was at the beginning of my twenties, but I am not where I want to be at the cusp of my thirties."
"I'm not where I was, and not where I want to be. "I think that phrase fits the state of our culture today and even illustrates our Christian walk. The letter to the Corinthians provides a theological backdrop for us.
The apostle Paul tells the church in Corinth... you are not where you once were.
Paul declares, "And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Corinthians 6:11). With tremendous force, the former church hater and murder condoner states these Christ following, Corinth dwelling Christians are washed, sanctified, and justified in Christ and by the Spirit. Praise God that the Corinthians are not where they once were!
The Gospel is the Good News that our faith in Jesus Christ washes us clean of our sins (1 John 1:7)
Paul states, "You were sanctified!" The Gospel is the Good News that faith in Christ sets you apart as holy and beloved children of God (1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:13).
Paul shouts, "You were justified!" We are declared forgiven of our sins in the courtroom of heaven, because the just payment of our sins is transacted by the punishment of Christ on the cross (Romans 5:1-2). And yet, we would all agree that we are not where we want to be as followers of God.
The writer of Hebrews would say, "For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified" (Hebrews 10:14). These are two explosive, freeing, and beautiful words. Being sanctified means "in the process of being set apart as holy." We are not what we once were (sinful and separated from the presence of God), but we are not where we want to be (sin-free and in the presence of God).
What about you? What sinful lifestyle did God wash away through the blood of Jesus Christ? Do you believe that God you justified you through faith in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior? How is God sanctifying you through the Holy Spirit, His Word, and His Church?
Looking back on ten years, I'm not where I once was, but I am not where I want to be. I'm excited to see where I will be in ten more years. What about you?
Derek Nicksich
May 8, 2020