A simpler afterthought today…“How have I grown (been sanctified) over the years?”
I have asked the opposite of this question to others on multiple occasions before, “Where do you see that I need to grow? Especially where I may not at all be aware?” Doing so is humbling to say the least. But I cannot recall having ever asked, “Where do you see God having already sanctified me over the years?” Asking this question may take even more humility, at least for me, because I fear my tendency to puff up with pride.
Perhaps to avoid such lack of humility and the ‘trap’ of self-boasting, let each one of us initiate building one another up (edifying) by letting someone(s) else know how you have seen God sanctify them over the time span you have known them. That way none of us needs to ask the question but can simply be blessed and encouraged and built up by hearing (unsolicited) about how others can see God having been at work in their lives. I pray this will lead all of us to simple grateful praise of our gracious Heavenly Father, his Son and our Savior Jesus Christ, and our Helper the Holy Spirit.
Will you take time to consider one another? To thank God for them and his work in them? And then let that person know what sanctifying work you thank God for having done in their life?