The Bird Saga and Sanctification

I had mentioned that I would try and follow the nest saga outside our back patio...so far so good with the bird story! Of course, so many things rush to the forefront of my cranium when I view a pic like this. But when I compare this pic to the one with just the eggs (below and smaller), the word "sanctification" comes to mind.

In other words, little by little, the mama bird is making sure the baby bird(s) has everything necessary for development. Indeed, the bidrlings can do nothing but depend upon the mother! Sure, at some point they exhibit the result of their growth and provide effort, "doing" the things birds do (i.e., fly around and poop all over your car!) But it is first and foremost all about "being."

Though a loose analogy, it does provide a basic visual understanding of our sanctification process. It, like our salvation, rests upon the grace of our God; and though we provide effort at points along the way, it is simply responsive effort to the work caused by the Gospel of Jesus (Titus 2:11-14).

He develops, we depend.

Chrip, chirp.

Just Exactly What Does the Gospel Do?

There's no question, according to Romans 1:16, that the Gospel is the power of God, and that it is for salvation.

But is that the extent of the Gospel's work? Is it only powerful enough to save us? Or does it do more than that? Just exactly what does the Gospel do, especially in us and for us? For sure, the Gospel does lots of things, but no doubt these 15 will bring you to your knees in worhsip!


Rom 1:1 - It separates us to God
Rom 1:16 - It saves us by God
Rom 10:15 - It brings peace from God
Rom 15:29 - It blesses us with God
Rom 16:25 - It strengthens us for God
1 Cor. 4:15 - It births us in the family of God
1 Cor. 9:23 - It links us to one another for God
2 Cor. 4:4 - It opens our eyes to see God
2 Cor. 8:18 - It is our source of praise about God
Phil 1:27 - It helps us fight the enemies of God
Col 1:6 - It bears fruit from God
Col 1:23 - It stabilizes us while we wait for God
1 Thess. 2:13 - It works in us as truth from God
2 Tim 1:8 - It empowers us through the Spirit of God
1 Peter 3:18 - It gives us God!

Hallelujah! I'll be posting more later about how all these things actually show up in us, but for now let's just be eternally thankful that the Gospel is enough for our whole life. It is completely sufficient to save us and sanctify us!