Sanctification from the Insides.

The process of growth, particularly in faith, can be a painful one. God doesn't offer shortcuts; He wants us to be completely dependent on Him, even if it means stepping out of our comfort zones. Repentance is crucial to new spiritual growth; it helps us grow in grace while also reducing the impact of offenses on our daily lives. However, when we choose to hold on to offenses, we tend to become cynical, which hinders our spiritual growth.

It's impossible to deceive a holy God with pretentious acts. He begins a transformation on the inside that eventually permeates outward. When we stand in God's presence, our self-righteousness begins to peel away until it vanishes. Outward presentations are just self-deception and serve no one.

Being a Christian isn't something to strive for but rather a transformational process that begins within us through the Holy Spirit. We cannot achieve this through our efforts alone. It's a lifelong process called sanctification that leads us towards Christlikeness. This journey lasts until we reach eternity.