God’s Not Working on You

Devotional from Pastor Tim

Few truths bring more relief to the heart than rightly understanding sanctification. Yet for many believers, it has become a quiet source of pressure. We assume God is slowly improving us, cautiously pleased when we perform well and subtly disappointed when we do not. Sanctification can start to feel like a ladder we have to climb to remain acceptable.

But Scripture paints a very different picture.

Sanctification is not a goal you strive to reach. It is a gift you have already received. The moment you trusted Christ, God set you apart to Himself, completely and permanently. Your standing before Him was not made partial or probationary. It was finished. In Christ, you have been made holy and acceptable to Him!

Hebrews tells us, “For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified” (Hebrews 10:14). Notice the stunning language: perfected for all time. Not gradually improving. Not conditionally accepted. Perfected. And at the same time, sanctified. Your holiness before God rests entirely on Christ’s once-for-all offering, not on your daily performance.

This changes everything about how we grow.

Spiritual growth is not about becoming more holy so God will be pleased. It is about recognizing the holiness already given to you in Christ. As you set your mind to what is true—that you are set apart, accepted,secure—your life begins to reflect that reality. Transformation flows from rest, not pressure. Grace teaches you to live from your new identity in Christ, not strive for a better identity in your strength.

He is not repairing a flawed version of you; He has made you new. You are already sanctified—set apart and made holy in Christ. And as you believe that truth, it begins to shape the way you live. Your behavior doesn’t make you holy; it starts to reflect the holiness you’ve already been given. From that place of safety and security, trusting the Truth, genuine growth happens.

Today, release the quiet burden of trying to become what God has already made you. You are not on probation. You are not earning holiness. You are expressing it because Christ is in you.

“But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption.” 1 Corinthians 1:30