Paradox: Sanctification sure is exhausting

Let's begin here:

The Gospel

The Gospel is ultimate truth, and make no mistake, Jesus came in ultimate humility. This is a mystery. There is nothing in me that should move the Holy, Righteous, God to come and ransom me. But I know that a God my mind can comprehend is incapable of saving it. I do not preach things that I totally understand, and for that I thank Jesus that the infinite Lord of the universe looks upon me with mercy. Still, I feel compelled to share this revelation.

1. God's Wrath and Love are not separate.

Jesus' death on the cross did not change God it changed the situation. The New Testament and the Old Testament speak of the SAME, unchanging God. He is NOT tamed. He is both the lion and the lamb. He is a saving warrior who is angry with sin and makes war on evil.

Wrath is not a fit of rage or vengeful anger.

Wrath is a hatred of injustice and a ferocious desire to right what is wrong. It is God's resolute action in punishing sin.

All of this is born out of God's character. His hatred of injustice... His fierceness.

God is love. Often we define God by our CONCEPT of love... which is twisted. Human concepts of love don't define untamable God, but it is GOD himself that defines true love.

True love does not allow injustice. True love writes wrongs. True love punishes evil.

Romans 1:18-25, 1 John 4:7-9

2. Christians should not shy away from suffering.

God disciplines disobedience. Discipline is painful.

Obedience is choosing to pick up our cross. The cross is painful.

"The rod is imposed without the consent of the one who suffers it, The cross cannot be imposed by another. Even Christ bore the cross by His own free choice. He said of the life He poured out on the cross. 'No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself' (John 10:18)" The only compulsion He knew was the compulsion of love. Chastisement is an act of God; cross carrying an act of the Christian. The cross is the suffering the Christian endures as a consequence of obedience. In the way of obedience stands the cross. But the Father's love is not more or less, wherever we may be. God chastens us not that He may love us but because he loves us. Jonah in flight from the will of God suffered no worse storm than Paul in the center of God's will. When tribulation comes we have but to note whether it is imposed or chosen. (matthew 5:11)" -A.W. Tozer The Radical Cross

3. Focusing on Jesus' return will keep you hopeful.

I'll just bust out the Bible:

Titus 2:11-15 "The grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you."

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11 "Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing."

That's what I'm learning. Sanctification sure is exhausting.