Luke 17:33 (NKJV) says the following: “Whoever seeks to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.”
Once a person truly accepts Jesus as their own personal Lord and Savior – the Holy Spirit begins the work of sanctification. This is not an easy process. The process if full of hardship, pain, and much suffering. Jesus suffered, so we are called to follow in His footsteps. (I became a christian in October of 1992. Prior to that I was trying to earn my way to God’s favor. My eyes were profoundly opened to the fact that I was a sinner and that salvation is a GIFT of God! It is FREE! No one is able to earn their way as there is no specific number of good works needed to get to heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 (from NKJV) says it best:
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”
I run into many folks that think they get in to heaven because “I am a pretty good person.” Or because “I go to church.” Or because of this or that. Think of it this way, ask your question, “how many do’s do I need to do?” We don”t give to heaven by doing. Jesus said “it is finished” or in other words – He paid the price – IT IS DONE!
Sanctification is about dying to self (the flesh). This is hard. It means crucifixion to the sin nature! John 3:30 (NKJV) says: “He must increase, but I must decrease.”
If you are in need of freedom from sin – turn to Jesus. The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords! The One who died for you! He can set you free! He did not come to condemn but to save human beings! Don’t turn to other things that can’t save. Turn to Jesus! He is still in the miracle working business today!