Sanctification

I think many people upon being called by Christ into saving grace understand that they are justified, and sanctified or your could say, made right with God and set aside as righteous before God but when it comes to salvation, we have been saved, are being saved and will be saved. 

The problem is that sometimes we see ourselves as having been saved and look forward to the second coming of Christ when we will see Christ face to face yet there is a gap where we are being saved. 

Progressive sanctification is the process of becoming more Christlike day by day. We grow in Christ on a daily basis. 

Romans 8:29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

At the time of Christ's ascension He left His disciples with a mission; "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”Matt 28:19-20

The Lord has called us to make ourselves available for Him to work through us into those around us. He has given us the gift of the Holy Spirit to work through us. His desire is that we grow in Him through a meaningful relationship with Him. This is what brings about change in us and those around us. His love for us is evident in what He did for us at the cross of Christ. Not that we deserve it; in fact what we deserve is to die the death He died on that cross. This love that He has for us is not to be hidden under a basket, so to speak. We are to allow that love to work through us into the lives of others. 

We cannot earn God's favor. We already have God's favor, but we can respond to what He has done with love and devotion with grateful hearts.