Two days after being blown out by 32 points in a disappointing Game 4 loss to the Indiana Pacers, the New York Knicks returned the favor in a 121-91 victory in Game 5 to take a 3-2 series lead. Perhaps the most impressive part of New York’s response in Game 5 was dominating the boards and putting so much effort into rebounding. Despite employing a small starting lineup with just one player over 6’5”, New York thoroughly dominated the Pacers on the glass, finishing the game with a 53-29 advantage in total rebounds. Indiana head coach, Rick Carlisle addressed the glaring rebounding discrepancy after the game: “With their smaller lineup, intuitively you would think it gives us a better chance to do well on the boards. But their overall level of fight in this game was superior to what ours was. And that's the bottom line.” The importance of a team’s fight and energy cannot be overstated when experiencing positive results. No matter how talented a team might be, they’ll never be able to reach the pinnacle if they’re not striving with all of their might to get there. As followers of Jesus, we have a key desire on this side of eternity to grow in our holiness and to become more like Jesus. It’s a great and glorious goal, but also one in which we won’t see desired results without much striving and effort. Regarding our sanctification (the process of becoming more like Jesus), the Bible gives us two types of striving that we should demonstrate simultaneously. The first type is striving to remain dependent upon God and the help He provides in conforming us to the image of His Son. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (ESV) says, “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Scripture is abundantly clear that God is actively involved in our sanctification. As such, we must avoid the temptation to attempt to grow in our Christlikeness apart from the power and help that He provides. We must come to God in prayer with humility and dependence, acknowledging that we need Him in our efforts to grow in spiritual maturity. At the same time, though, the Bible also clarifies that we’re active participants in our sanctification. Hebrews 12:14 (ESV) calls all believers to, “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” While we depend on the Lord for help and strength in our sanctification, we’re also commanded to strive for holiness. We must exert great energy to grow and become more like Jesus. Rather than passively sitting back and expecting God to do everything for us, we take active steps to put off sin, remove potential stumbling blocks, and immerse ourselves in spiritual disciplines that bring us to maturity. The fact that both God and humans play an active part in sanctification is perhaps best seen in Philippians 2:12-13 (NIV): “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.” Today, let’s assess our lives honestly to see where we may fall short in our sanctification. Are we trying to do things in our own strength, failing to acknowledge our need for God’s strength and help in our fight? If not, are we being too passive and not striving with great passion and energy to become more like Jesus in our character? Wherever we may fall short, let’s praise God for His glorious grace, and set our hearts on a passionate pursuit of holiness. I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for the strength You graciously give me in my fight against sin. Please help me to be dependent upon You while I am making every effort to grow in character and holiness. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
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