Circles of Sanctification

The Church can never hold on to its humility or sincerity. It is not ours. It is the righteousness of Jesus. In the moment that the Church realizes its own humility it is condemned. But in its condemnation it is faced with its end, with its death in baptism with Christ, and thus given the prospect of resurrection with Christ, whose resurrection is the firstfruits. These patterns of humility and false-humility are the cycles or circles of sanctification that make up the very fabric and reality of the history of the Church. These circles of salvation are the weaving and working of the Holy Spirit, and must be received with thankfulness. "Is anyone among you sick? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise." Because it is the Spirit who sovereignly shapes the Church in the highs and the lows; he is sovereign to bring us face to face with our shortcoming and also the face of Jesus, who is true humility and sincerity.