We can view ourselves as having transitioned from a state of sin to one of life in God. This transformation, our death to sin, became fully actualized at the moment we were regenerated. Through the act of baptism, we have not only shared in Christ's death but have also been raised to a new life through Him. Our union with Christ marks our ultimate sanctification; we have not only died to sin—having had our wrongdoings assigned to Him during His crucifixion—but we have also received His righteousness, both active and passive, credited to us through our justification upon being resurrected in Him. As a result, we are legally declared righteous. Yet, we still contend with the lingering effects of sin, often finding ourselves struggling to align with our true desires. Even though righteousness and sin do not hold equal sway over us anymore, righteousness has the upper hand as we recognize our death to sin, knowing that Christ has completed the work of purging us from sin. Still, we remain vulnerable to the enticing pull of sin, often feeling as if there is an internal voice coaxing us to give in. Sin operates like a metronome, marking our internal struggles and acting as an active force that can lead us astray. We wage battle against sin through the Holy Spirit. By surrendering more of ourselves to the Spirit’s guidance, we experience growth in our journey of sanctification. Engaging with Scripture through reading and meditation allows the Spirit to nurture our new spiritual inclinations, helping us to recognize the glory of Christ more vividly through our inner transformation. Through the continual renewal that the Word provides, we undergo a transformation from one level of glory to another, as we behold Christ's likeness revealed in the truths of the Bible. As we come to grasp the profound realities contained within His Word and the accompanying insights, our desire to glorify Him intensifies. In our spiritual development, He becomes the focal point of our lives. Simultaneously, we must confront the sadness that comes with our human condition—the consequences of our wrongdoings and the pain we experience. We are inevitably faced with the truth of our finite existence, which exposes us to the struggles of mortality, the afflictions of the heart, and the burden of our personal sins. These two experiences—our longing for Him and the reality of our struggles—coexist and fluctuate within our daily lives. As our desire for Him grows and our understanding deepens, we begin to experience immense joy and gratitude, fostering an eternal perspective. In this heightened state of awareness, we encounter experiences that transcend our comprehension and recognize the unfathomable workings of the Spirit. Within this framework, we may find ourselves more sensitive to suffering, as we become increasingly acquainted with the sealing of the Spirit and the profound effects of this genuine mystical experience. This heightened sensitivity to suffering simultaneously enables us to distance ourselves from sin, as we embrace our true identity and fullness of being in Christ.