The Person, Not the Experience
True holiness is not sustained by one moment of power, but by continual connection to Jesus, our living source.
Devotional Credit: Days of Heaven by A.B. Simpson
Photo Credit: Unsplash
A.B. Simpson reminds us that many Christians stumble because they focus on their spiritual experiences rather than on Jesus Himself. When the Lord grants an initial joy of deliverance, it can feel as though temptations and trials will never return. But when they do, discouragement quickly follows. Instead of anchoring themselves to the living Christ, some cling to a memory of a past experience, only to find it slipping through their fingers. Their faith is shaken, and they conclude that what they had was either a mistake or something not meant for them.
Simpson brings clarity here. Holiness is not a static state that we obtain and then keep by self-effort. It is not a spiritual high that we must try to maintain. Rather, holiness is the fruit of union with a Person. Jesus is not only the Giver of grace, He is grace itself. He is not only the Author of faith, He is faith’s sustainer. The journey of sanctification is not about holding onto an experience but walking daily with the One who is holy.
Isaiah 41:4 reveals God as the One who calls forth generations, the first and the last, the unchanging “I am He.” Anchoring in Him brings stability when trials come. Experiences will fade, emotions will rise and fall, but the Lord remains constant. In Him we find the life, heart, and faith we need. He does not give us holiness apart from Himself, for He is our holiness.
Simpson’s words are a call back to simplicity. We are not left to manage our sanctification alone, nor are we dependent on fleeting moments. We are invited into an abiding life with Jesus, who never changes and never fails. In Him, sanctification is not a fragile condition but the steady outflow of His life within us.
Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture
My child, you are not called to cling to an experience but to abide in Me. I am the first and the last, the One who does not change. When your emotions shift or your strength falters, remember that I remain the same.
Do not be surprised by trials or temptations, for I have already overcome the world. When you fall, do not despair, for you are no longer defined by failure. You are defined by your union with My Son. In Him you have died to sin and been raised to newness of life.
Holiness is not a prize you must keep. It is My Son living His life in you. As you yield, He expresses His heart through yours, His faith through yours, His life through yours. Look not to what you once experienced, but to who I am in you today. I am faithful, and I will complete the work I began in you.
Scripture References: Isaiah 41:4, Hebrews 12:2, John 16:33, Romans 6:4-11, Galatians 2:20, 1 Corinthians 1:30, Philippians 1:6, Colossians 3:3-4, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24, 2 Corinthians 3:18.
Real-Life Analogy
Think of a cell phone that seems so powerful when first charged. The moment you take it off the charger, it works perfectly, and you might imagine it will stay that way forever. But as the hours pass, the battery drains. If you only rely on that initial charge, eventually the phone becomes useless. The phone’s real power lies not in the first charge but in remaining connected to the source of power regularly.
In the same way, spiritual life is not sustained by one past experience. It flows from continual union with Jesus. Today, when I feel tempted to lean on yesterday’s memory, I can rest in the truth and whisper, “Lord, I trust You to live Your life through me right now.” That is where holiness is lived out, not in past moments but in present reliance.
Prayer of Confidence
Lord, I thank You that holiness is not something I must achieve or preserve by myself. It is You living Your life in me. I rejoice that You are the first and the last, my constant and unchanging One. I rest in Your sufficiency, not in my experiences. Thank You that my stability is found in union with You, and that You will carry to completion the good work You have begun in me.