SANCTIFICATION: AS AN EXERCISE
Sanctification is an indispensable experience in the gospel. It is the privilege of every believer to attain a state in which he will be entirely free from sin. Sanctification or holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord, is an experience which every believer should seek earnestly. (SLSS 2013, Seminar 28).
The believer cannot enjoy and experience the matchless beauty of the Christian life until he is sanctified. To have true liberty in the Spirit, to experience real oneness with the brethren, to be filled with the fullness of God and to live the Christian life to the full the believer must enter into the blessed “rest” of sanctification. Sanctification is a definite Christian experience just as salvation is a definite Christian experience. In the divine economy of grace, sanctification is an experience at the reach of all believers. (SLSS 2013, Seminar 29).
It is important to understand that the Christian walk is never meant to be static but dynamic and progressive. As believers, we should never be concerned with where we have been nor satisfied with past exploits but strive to experience God in a newer light, at every turn. Apostle Paul said it well when speaking to the Philippian church he said “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12-16). This is a very crucial aspect on the journey to spending eternity with the father. Contrary to some popular opinions, once saved is not always saved and as Christians, we should understand that the Salvation experience at the point of justification is an open door to a street of many possibilities as we build relationship and know the person of Jesus Christ. One of the stops on that street is Sanctification.
God’s word teaches that entire salvation is a definite act of God’s grace, subsequent to the New Birth, by which the believer’s heart is purified and made holy. It cannot be attained progressively by works, struggle or suppression, but it is obtained by faith in the sanctifying blood of Jesus Christ. Holiness of life and purity of the heart are central to Christian living (Sacred Doctrine 10). At justification, grace is available to live above sin. John 1:12 tells us, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” as we strive to draw closer to the person of Jesus Christ, we begin to lay aside the weights and sins that easily beset (Hebrews 12:1) while we learn to trust, obey and live for Him (Proverbs 3:5-6). There is a transformation that comes with that daily walk. 2 Corinthians 3:18 tells us- “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.” 2 Peter 3:18 encourages us to “…grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” Sanctification is a result of this servitude, this consistency and this discipline. It is the gracious work of the Holy Spirit is a product of His mercy and grace.
To be Sanctified
Being sanctified is a state of being. One that is characterised by holy living, consciousness and purity. This is only possible when the man/woman is controlled entirely by humility and subject to the leading of the Holy Spirit. In comparison to John 1:12 and having power to become sons, Romans 8:14 tells us “…as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.”, sonship therefore becomes this insignia that separates us from the world “…having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (2 Timothy 2:19-21).
It is important to say that this new birth in Christ is not without challenges, erroneously, people assume that a walk with Christ is a walk without pain, shame or troubles, nothing can be farther from the truth, our testimony is not that our lives are devoid of troubles but that even when we pass through the waters, it shall not overflow us or through the fire, we will not be burned because, He will be with us (Isaiah 43:2). The song writer admonishes, Christian, seek not yet repose, cast thy dreams of ease away, thou are in the midst of foes, watch and pray (SS&S-687). It is this continuity is fellowshipping, watching and praying that exercises the spirit within us, and helps us to repeatedly consider our ways (Haggai 1:5-7).
Hebrews 5:14 – “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.” When our senses, our minds, hearts and spirits can discern right from wrong as by the Spirit and through muscle memory, revelational knowledge, prophecy and the gifts of the Spirit become by products of our persistence. “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” (John 17:3).
Spiritual Exercise
Abraham is recorded to have build four different alters in Shechem, Bethel, Hebron and Mount Moriah (Genesis 12:6-7, Genesis 12:8-9, Genesis 13:18, Genesis 22:9) in fact, the question asked by young Isaac on the way to be sacrificed for God in Genesis 22:7 was as a result of experience. He knew that a sacrifice required fire, wood and a lamb which was the most important element and seeing that a sacrificial lamb was missing, he was prompted to ask his father. Also, it is important to note that the reason Sarah did not question Abraham for wanting to take Isaac on that trip was because, this was not the first time. Abraham on other occasions have brought Isaac his son along on this great expenditure of worship to the living God, God Himself testified of Abraham in Genesis 18:19 and said “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the LORD, to do justice and judgment…”.
It therefore was not strange when Isaac built an alter unto the Lord his God in Genesis 26:25 nor was it strange when it was recorded that Jacob built an alter unto the Lord his God (Shechem- Genesis 33:20 and Bethel – Genesis 35:7). And because Abraham has laid the blueprint to this exercise, it became a law in Isreal. In Deuteronomy 6:6-9, we see it as a statue in Isreal – “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”
In the same vein, daily reading of scriptures, fasting, church attendance and all the seemingly mundane activities of the Christian faith are exercises that refine us in ways we cannot quantify nor see glaringly but if we trust the Lord and His process, we will see refinement within. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 encourages us “For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification…” (l Thessalonians 4:3-4) that our lives will be hid in Christ (Colossians 3:3-5), And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.( John 17:3). Job, Noah, Elisha and all the patriarchs of old all exercised this truth in practice in acknowledging and holding on to the author and finisher of their faith (Hebrews 12:2) because they knew and understood that knowing God is first, spiritual enlightenment is second (knowledge, practical knowledge) and there is no limit to where this growth in grace (2 Peter 3:18) can take them.
Conclusions
The dictionary defines sanctification as the ability to make free from sin, to cleanse from moral corruption and pollution. While being sanctified is a work of the Spirit, staying sanctified involves personal effort, work and discipline. While at Sanctification inbred sin is purged, cleansed and the heart is purified (Titus 2: 14; I Thessalonians 5:23) the individual must make conscious effort to avoid sin (Romans 6:1-2).
As Christians, we are called unto Holiness (I Thessalonians 4:7). There is no doubt about the call. It is on every page of the Scriptures and the reason for it is in the nature and character of God. HOLINESS is not optional, it is imperative. Because God is holy, His people must be holy outwardly and inwardly, in action as well as in thought and motives. And it is possible! He who calls unto holiness is Himself the Sanctifier (SSLS 2013-28).
It is important that we desire sanctification, actively pursue it and sustain it by consciously living the reality of a holy life and acknowledging the Holy Spirit as the author of our sanctification. Brethren, cast off the slumber of the enemy, carry your cross daily and follow (Luke 9:23) and may the Lord sustain us all in Jesus Christ name, amen.
Appendix:
- In justification there is life. In sanctification there is life abundant.
- In justification there is love. In sanctification there is perfect love which casteth out fear.
- In justification the ‘old man’ is given a crucifying blow. In sanctification the ‘old man’ is destroyed.
- In justification there is ‘peace with God’. In sanctification there is “the peace of God” – perfect peace.
- Justification destroys the ‘shoots’ of sin. Sanctification destroys the ‘root’ of sin.
- In justification there is joy – intermittent joy. In sanctification there is fullness of joy – abiding joy.
- Justification makes us ‘free’ – free from outward sins and condemnation. Sanctification makes us ‘free indeed’ – from inward sin.
- Justification has to do with sin as an act – sins committed. Sanctification has to do with sin as a principle – the sin nature we inherited.
- Justification the right to heaven. Sanctification gives the fitness for heaven.
