Verse of the Day

Let’s anchor all of this with a short testimony. We all remember the moment God called our name. For some, life was relatively “clean.” For others—like me—it took being that one lost sheep who needed her legs broken to finally lean on the Shepherd. I was the kid who questioned rules, pushed boundaries, and seemed to need bubble wrap to survive half of my choices. It wasn’t that I was beyond hope or useless—it was that society’s blurred lines only fed my rebellion. I needed a clear line to toe, and when I didn’t see one, I pushed against every weak spot I could find.

My rebellious spirit recognized hypocrisy. I saw people living compromised lives while quoting Scripture, and it hardened me. Yet even in my valleys, God’s goodness surrounded me—sometimes soft and loving, sometimes painfully convicting. I’ll never forget my oldest child, in tears, telling me: “You’re breaking his heart.” He couldn’t understand my addiction or why his love wasn’t enough to fix me. His words pierced me, because I remembered being that child myself—crying out to God to heal my dad of his addictions. I prayed with faith, obedience, and desperation, never doubting that my prayers were real.

What I didn’t understand then, I see now. God doesn’t always bring instant deliverance. He works little by little. This has been true in my life. 

Exodus 23:28–30

“I will send the hornet ahead of you to drive the Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites out of your way. But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals too numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them out before you, until you have increased enough to take possession of the land.”

Here, God explains that removing enemies all at once would leave the land wild and uninhabitable. Instead, He promised to clear it gradually, step by step, until Israel was strong enough to handle the blessing.

The Talmud notes that “little by little” reveals God’s wisdom—pacing victory so blessing itself doesn’t destroy us. The same is true for sin. If God removed every struggle instantly, pride or chaos would overwhelm us. Victory must be steady, deliberate, and paced with growth.

The Early Church Fathers on Gradual Sanctification

• Origen: Saw the “hornets” as pangs of conscience and divine conviction—God’s way of weakening sin’s hold before we face it head-on. Sanctification is “city by city” in the soul.

• Augustine: God heals us “by degrees.” Quick perfection would either puff us up with pride or crush us with responsibility we’re not ready to bear. Gradual change is mercy.

• Chrysostom: Compared growth to athletic training. “Do not be impatient if you conquer not all at once, for even God gives victory little by little.” Every small victory matters.

• Gregory of Nyssa: Spoke of epektasis—“stretching forward” (Phil. 3:13). Growth is never static but always advancing until we are fully united with God.

Together, they remind us: sanctification is not instant, but progressive. Little by little, sin is uprooted and holiness is planted.

Balancing Grace and Obedience

This does not mean we should compromise or tolerate sin. The Fathers were clear—sin always separates and must always be confronted. But God, in His mercy, sometimes leaves battles in our lives to train endurance, humility, and dependence on Him.

So how do we measure progress? The New Testament tells us to be “fruit inspectors.” 

Direction Over Speed

Are you moving toward Christ or away from Him? Augustine reminds us: progress may be slow, but the key is movement. Chrysostom said, “A painted tree may look good, but it will never bear fruit.” Fruit is revealed over time, not in appearances.

Consistency Over Moments

True growth takes seasons. Gregory of Nyssa said real sanctification is always stretching forward. Flashy zeal without lasting change is counterfeit. Real fruit deepens dependence on God.

Practical Check Questions

• Am I quicker to repent than I used to be?

• Do I forgive more easily than before?

• Is my love deeper, less selfish than last year?

• Am I seeing “little by little” victories where once there was only slavery?