Welcome to the summer issue of Crossroads Chronicles, a season of maturing and growth.

In I Corinthians chapter 3, the Apostle Paul uses the language of a children’s nursery to chide the people for their lack of spiritual development. At the beginning of his ministry among them, it was appropriate to feed them spiritual milk, as they were mere infants in Christ. Now it is time to feed them solid food—but they still are not ready. 

So this passage deals first with foundational issues, then Paul quickly returns to the core issue of his calling, as he testified before King Agrippa:  “I am sending you to them so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ (Acts 26:17-18)

This issue of The Chronicles offers solid food regarding the difficult questions around sanctification. We read how some have traversed this road in essays, stories, and flash testimonies.

We might worship for years with fellow believers without learning much about their stories; here we present stories of renewal and transformation.

Several brief responses address the question, “What is the difference between sanctification and just being a better person?” Our reporter, Elias, approached several people with that question who found the answer too hard to explain.

Pastor Tara Smith offers a helpful description that will clear up some of the confusion regarding sanctification. “Sanctification is the process of God wrapping us up into His own holy life.”.

When she found her way back to God, He led Judy Roberts to Crossroads Nazarene, where she fell in love with the holiness message.  “Hearing about holiness and sanctification struck a chord deep in my spirit,” she testifies.

Cambria Hunter came to a crossroads: “I wasn’t waiting for the perfect job anymore. The pain was too great. I had to get out of Egypt.” God did not deliver her from her ordeal overnight, but He put her on a path that led to peace, opening doors she hadn’t dared to knock on.

While theology of sanctification can be heavy, in real life, we find the stories of our fellow travelers help us understand the reality of it. And don’t miss the “watermelon bomb,” you will want to serve all summer long, and the peek behind the scenes.