Sanctification

Sanctification by dictionary definition means set apart as or declare holy; consecrate. In the Bible it is the ongoing process of being ‘set apart’ that requires our cooperation with God. We are called to continue in the process sanctification until we depart from this earth.

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind,that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

Sanctification is not an unattainable state of being but the process of God molding us from the moment we’re reborn in Christ to the moment that we die.

In my own faith journey, despite being saved at the age of 5, sanctification has been primarily happening in the last 5 years(that means that there were about 23 years that sanctification wasn’t consistent and sometimes non-existent). Meaning that there are ebbs and flows, influenced by our willingness to remain obedient and soft hearted.

If you know our family, you know we’ve been through some crazy times.

If you don’t personally know our family or just haven’t been in touch with our 2020-2022 story. The summary is: We moved out of our home of 3 years and into a 28 foot travel trailer, moved 5 times, paid off debt, worked really hard on financial goals, bought a house, had to say goodbye to some important relationships due to death and estrangement, watching our loved ones move away, and so much more. Great wins, great losses, not enough “boring” moments if you ask me.

Life is quite the journey. Big amazing things happen, they don’t end up being everything we thought they would. Tragedy strikes and God doesn’t feel close. Pain happens and relief doesn’t come no matter how many prayers are said. Then God comes through with unforeseen blessings.

So the cycle continues.

Over the years I have experienced God in blessing and correction. Blessings in many forms but primarily, select people who saw me as a fellow image bearer and showed me love and respect. Corrections often came in the form of me being arrogant and God allowing me to go through humbling experiences.

“I would never do that.” And he places me in a situation where I have to.

“I would never say that.” And then I open my stupid mouth and it comes out.

“I would never feel that.” And then He allows me to experience what someone was feeling.

These are moments I used to look back on with shame. That was a lot of the issue, shame. Shame and arrogant pride are close companions but we’ll talk about that later.

I now look back on these moments with compassion for my old self, hope for the future, confidence in the present and even compassion for those who have thrown me the same self-righteous shade I was once fluent in.

The Bible speaks to shame and renewal over and again and its to our incredible benefit.

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Read Romans 5:1-5

This process of learning and growing has been a massive blessing. I count it an honor to be sanctified while I’m here on earth. I can look back with genuine gratitude, even if it still evokes emotions of sorrow and pain.

Watching friends of mine being sanctified is also such a beautiful and hard thing. We want goodness for them here on this earth and we bear with them in burdens. However, the blessing of watching their faith grow produces a huge and unique thankfulness in me. That suffering doesn’t happen for nothing. He uses everything.

The reason I’m sharing this, if you’ve made it this far, is to encourage you.

Keep growing in Christ. He is our first love. The more you spend time knowing Him through His word, the more you experience His gentle correction, the more you know the value of humility, the more you will grow in love for Christ Jesus.

Our second love should be others. The goal is that we grow in heaping love for the church(i.e. one another) so that we may better serve the Lord.

Ephesians 4:16 “…from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it’s equipped, when each part is working properly , makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.”