wrestling…

The question comes to mind… and I wonder what the answer is…

Are the failures and rebellion of the justified… all part of the sanctification process…?

sanctification… “being made holy or purified”…

In short, then, justification is a once-for-all, declarative act of God as Judge, whereas sanctification is a progressive change in the character of the person justified.

—Tyndale Bible Dictionary

And I think about Adam and Eve… sinless before the Fall… could anyone have stopped them…? from making the fatal decision…? or was it inevitable…? part of the Sovereign Lord’s way… making the Way… for His Son to have a bride…?

And then there was Simon Peter… whom the Lord warned…

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 

Luke 22:31-32 NASB

Would Peter have been the same pillar of the church…? the same witness for the Lord…? if he had not denied the Lord…? not once… but three times…?

These questions come to mind as I watch a loved one… one who He has made clear is justified… boldly rebel…

I wrestle with what to do… what to say… is there any stopping the breaking away…? the denial…? the fall…?

Or can all I do… listen… wait… trust… for Him to allow… what He will allow… for His purpose and way…in the life of the one I love…

I find myself… wrestling with Him… to follow His Word…

“…in quietness and in trust shall be your strength!”

Isaiah 30:15 ESV