A Smoky Mountain Hi (Yes, I know it is a bit long for most folks but try reading it)

For this is the will of God even your Sanctification.  1Thessalonians 4:3-
Some folks have a real problem with this verse.  They say, "Didn’t I receive the Holy Spirit when I was saved by His Grace?" The answer is "Yes." Is there more to the Holy Spirit that what received when I was initially saved?  The answer again, is, “Yes, there is.”

Some folks call it the “Deeper Walk” some call it “ Discipleship Salvation” others,  “becoming a disciple” each noting there is a difference in being a follower and  being a believer, and being a disciple of Jesus. Others call it “Entire Sanctification" or "Being Filled with the Spirit" indicating there was still choice to be made as to how committed I will be. 

 Consider the example of the Prodigal Son who walked away from the Father, he was a believer but not totally committed to the Father but when he returned he was completely committed to the Father.  

Some denominations or theologians refer to this as “Lordship Salvation” meaning in general terms, that Jesus is the Lord of your life not just your Redeemer. They refer to this without diminishing in any way the work done in your salvation experience but suggest that there is still a choice to be made. 

Romans 6:4 suggests that there is not only a redemption but there is a death experience in your sanctification.

“For we died and were buried with Christ in baptism. And just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glorious power of the Father, now we also may live new lives.”

While this verse is talking about being baptized, most folks look at this as  only John the Baptist's baptism in water, not as John the Beloved, referring to being  Baptized by the Holy Spirit. However, it specifically says baptized in Christ who was raised from the dead by the Holy Spirit. This further suggests that we are to die in Christ to be raised from that death and become a “new man” walking in the “newness” of life in Christ Jesus. 

I can only testify to my own experience with God, that being,  after I was saved I hungered for more of Him. I struggled with temptation,  consistency, and so much more, as I tried to live a duel life in the world. 

For me the verse that drove me to the decision to the "deep walk" with Jesus, is the verse in Matthew 6:24. 
"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

Before I was a Christian, I didn’t know God, so there was no choice for me. Once I became a Christian, I realized, I did have a choice.  I did not need to struggle with whom I served; I now had a clear choice to be made to be His disciple or not. I chose Jesus to be the lord of my life. 

Call it what you will but from that moment, for me, there was no turning back. My heart no longer was in conflict with whom I would serve. It was Jesus only, as The Holy Spirit led me. 

Yes, I still have temptations and doubts but I reside firmly on God’s side, when I am confronted with them. Do I falter and fail on occasions? Absolutely, but the Father assures me, convicts me, forgives me, leads me and loves me through it all. Hallelujah! 

My desire now is not to continue in sin, because God can forgive me but to put those things behind me and  "press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus!" Philippians 4:13. 

Call it “Sanctification”, call it the “Deeper Walk” or call it “ Lordship Salvation” but it was, for me, different from and in addition to my salvation experience. It, in fact, made me a completely different Christian. 

I have found that this is not just to be a one time experience but an initial choice and then a continuous choosing of Jesus over the world.  Paul said. "I die daily."  

So my experience is that it has happened and is continually happening every day of my life. Choosing to become a disciple may or may not compromise your destination of Heaven, only God separates the sheep from the goats. However, it will certainly make your life sweeter and more effective. 

 Believing, walking, doing, are all continuous responsibilities and that fulfilling the Will of the Father in my life is, and will be, a journey "until death do us join".

Be a blessing. It is the least and the best you can be.