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CCORDING as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: (Ephesians 1:4-9)
A newly converted Christian is yet a child of the faith until he grows and matures to the full measure of spiritual discernment and biblical living. This maturation can be called sanctification. The term means a setting apart, or separation; but a separation from what? From the:
1. World of sin and vice;
2. Flesh and the lust thereof;
3. Devil and His law of sin and fatherhood.
The newly converted Christian is not yet fully aware of what it means to take upon himself the Mind that was in Christ. The growing process engenders a closer walk with God and a greater distance, or separation, from the desires of the world.
We are set apart in Christ to reflect His likeness and image. This is a grave responsibility for we are, in fact, princesses and princes. Our Lord is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. With such a royal station, should we not safeguard and uphold the one who is our Father and Lord? We are considered to be without blemish though our sanctification continues until we close our eyes in that final sleep. Just as we love our children and find them faultless in their behaviors over others, the Lord views us as His own and knows our actions, though not commendable at times, yet, our motivation is one of love. Love cannot harm or foster hateful actions.
Our sanctification is the work of the Triune Godhead – God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Our natures grow more in accord with that of God as we grow over time in our walk.
God the Father: Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called: 2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied. (Jude 1,2) Them that are sanctified are all who have been redeemed and live a life dedicated to God. God has given over His elect to His Son who fulfilled that imperative for sanctification.
God the Son: 12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. (Hebrews 13:12) Not only were we justified by the atoning blood of our Lord at Calvary, we are thereby sanctified and daily washed with the His Word dwelling in us. We are given over to Christ by the Father, and He has sealed our redemption and sanctification by a continual remembrance of His sacrifice. Just as He died without the gate as a transgressor – we, too, must be separated without the gate and die daily to self and live for Christ.
The Holy Ghost of God: 16 That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. The Fatherhood of God is an issue established at our calling and election. The sacrifice of our Lord was also an event that split eternity in two – before and after. It is a completed fact. The Holy spirit, however, continually works to draw those who God has foreknown and chosen to the Throne of Grace purchased by that blood of Christ.
The word of God is another consideration in our sanctification, but what is the Word of God other than the Incarnate Word visibly demonstrated by that of Christ Himself.
There is no room for misunderstanding Gods Will for our lives. We have the completed canon of Scripture to be our Light and Compass. The Word is the Operator’s Manual for Holy living. It is Holy itself and immutable. It is both old and new, ancient but fully up-to-date. It is unchanging just like its Author – Jesus Christ. It is old fashioned, but just as current as the day it descended from the Mind of God to the scribe.
One measure of our Love for Christ is how studiously we study His Word and live it out in our lives. As a former military pilot, I know the importance of knowing every chapter and paragraph of the operator’s manual for the aircraft. One portion I learned by heart was the section outlining emergency procedures for it was those procedures determined whether I lived or died when things went badly. The Bible is like that manual. It tells us how to respond to every challenge in life, how to be safe and confident in our lives, and where to flee when the enemy attacks. In the Lord put I my trust: how say ye to my soul, Flee as a bird to your mountain? (Psalm 11:1) The Mountain of the Lord is the safe place for us to be at all times, and He is always there as our Rock and our Fortress.
