Page 35 - First Steps 2023

Circle the spot in the process where you find yourself struggling most.
It’s okay to be honest; your discipler struggles, too.
• After looking at this chart, where do you most often struggle with
temptation? Is it in your mind, or has it progressed to actions?

Pause to pray for one another. Ask God to forgive your sins and for
help as you move forward. Ask him to move you toward holiness through
the power of his Holy Spirit.

4. Let’s talk freedom—to be like Jesus.
To be clear: You don’t actually become Jesus; you become more like
him. You begin reflecting his priorities, loving what and who he loves.

Peter told some early Jesus-followers how that works:

“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had
when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so
be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy’”
(1 Peter 1:14-16).

The process of becoming holy, like Jesus is holy, is called sanctifica-
tion. It’s a lifelong process that won’t be complete until you’re in heaven.

Until then, you and every other Jesus-follower has to contend with tempta-
tion and choose to grow in holiness.
Which means you’re in an interesting spot.
Because of God’s grace, and through the sacrifice of Jesus, you’re
already forgiven. Jesus’ death on the cross has paid for your sins—past,
present, and future.
The New Testament even calls Jesus-followers like you “saints” more

than 40 times, and the word “saint” literally means “holy.”
So—because of grace—you’re already holy.
Except you still keep sinning.
So how does that work?
It works like this:

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