Daily Devotions
Becoming More Holy DOES NOT Mean You Will Feel Better About Yourself
Title: Becoming More Holy DOES NOT Mean You Will Feel Better About Yourself
Reading for November 26: Romans 7-8
Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Romans 7:24-25
Ideally, the Christian life is a pathway that leads higher and higher to holiness. By the Spirit of God, we are transformed gradually into the image of our Creator. However, as this takes place we do not necessarily feel any better about ourselves. Though we are becoming more holy, we actually come to feel less holy... AND THIS CAN BE FRUSTRATING!
Why is it that after years of progress in the faith we feel even worse about ourselves? How can we draw closer and closer to God and yet feel less and less worthy to be in his presence?
The reason for this unpleasant side effect of spiritual growth is our good feelings about ourselves decrease as our knowledge of God increases. They are inversely proportional. As we see him more clearly, we also see ourselves more clearly. When we begin the journey we might feel that if we could just overcome a few vices we would be holy, and yet as we approach the end (after making great strides in holiness) we feel more of a wretch than we ever have!
But do not be discouraged! If this has happened to you, this can be evidence of progress in the faith. It is possible to feel this way as you draw closer to God. It can actually be proof you're coming to see even more clearly the Father's glory.
Father, what manner of love you have bestowed on us that we should be called your children! Renew our hope that someday you will complete the transformation; that we will be like you. Grant us mercy on this side of eternity to continue the process of holiness.
