IN GOD’S EYES YOU ARE SANCTIFIED

Dear Members in Christ,                                                                                                                   

In God’s eyes you are sanctified

As Christians, we face spiritual struggles every day, every moment of our lives. This struggle is constant and unceasing, and sometimes we fail and fall into temptation. As a result, a Christian may feel disappointed, and despair, especially those who are young in the faith. Sometimes, we even chide ourselves and some who feel that they do not “measure up” may even give up the Christian life altogether, and they leave the fellowship of Christians, and eventually they leave the church. 

Do not despair! Do not give up! The Bible teaches us that when we are saved in the Lord Jesus by faith, we receive the forgiveness of sins and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit helps us in our spiritual life by a process called sanctification.

1. The meaning of sanctification in our Christian lives

The words “sanctify”, “sanctification” is very much a part of scriptural vocabulary. The Lord Jesus used this word when He said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:17. The apostles use it in their epistles too. For instance, the Apostle Peter wrote,    

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.” 1 Peter 1:1,2

What is the meaning of “sanctification”? This word in the KJV is translated from a root word which is a word used to describe something or someone that is pure, holy or consecrated. Therefore, the word sanctification refers to the process of purifying, the process of making someone holy. Does this apply to us as Christians? Yes, certainly! We know with confidence that we are saved by faith in the Lord Jesus and in His finished work on the Cross. However, in this flesh, we will continue to wrestle with temptation to sin. The Holy Spirit of God helps us in our spiritual struggles. As we live out our daily lives, the Holy Spirit continues to do the work of sanctification in our lives, and to purge us of sinful habits and sins.

B. The Elect, chosen ones, children of God

In the Epistle of Peter, he refers to the Christians as “Elect.” This is the description of the Christian’s call to salvation – the Christian is “elect” or chosen. A person does not come to receive salvation by his or her own motivation. Rather, it is God who chooses as the Apostle Peter describes it, “according to the foreknowledge of God.”

“Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father..” 1 Peter 1:1, 2a

Even though the early Christians were literally “strangers” in this world, the Apostle Peter assures them that they are special. They are “elect”, people specially chosen by God. This election is by the foreknowledge of God. The word foreknowledge speaks of God’s love and wisdom. God’s special grace upon each individual Christian whom He will call to salvation demonstrates His love for the child of God. God in His eternal wisdom had known each individual, and the word Peter uses to describe is “foreknowledge”, it combines the idea of knowing beforehand and the concept of love and special grace upon the ones chosen. 

C. The work of the Holy Spirit in the process of sanctification for the Christian

How does this work for the Christian? The Apostle Peter uses the phrase “sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” 1 Peter 1:2b. The Holy Spirit is an active part of the work of salvation of the Christian. Once the believer is saved by faith in the Lord Jesus, the person is positionally sanctified before God. However, the practical sanctification of the Christian takes place day by day and moment by moment. So, besides calling the person to salvation, the Holy Spirit aids the Christian in his or her daily life.

The Apostle Peter summarizes this by telling the Christians that through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, the Christian is urged towards obedience (to God) and cleansing from sins (by the blood of Christ). God gives us His Holy Spirit to indwell us, and to help us in our daily struggles.

We are led by the Spirit to obey God more and more, and in the process to sin less and less. This is the process of sanctification.     

Why do we need to know this? Firstly, we know that we are saved once for all by faith in the Lord Jesus, but the work of the Holy Spirit continues within us to help us in our spiritual lives. Secondly, do not despair if the struggles in your spiritual lives seems too daunting. Never give up! Never turn away from God’s grace! Dearly beloved, let us encourage one another to be constant in prayer and meditation of God’s Word. By doing so, we can yield ourselves to the leading of the Holy Spirit, who will sanctify us, help us purge away sinful habits, and help us to draw close to God. May His name be praised! Amen.

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor