3 Ways Jesus Sanctifies Christians
The reason why we do not die immediately after we are born again is partly because the Lord needs to sanctify us and prepare us for heaven. We are being conformed to his image day by day as we behold his glory. That is our destiny: to be conformed to the image of God’s dear son (Romans 8:29). This is why the wedding of the lamb will happen at the return of the Lord because at that time Jesus will select those who have allowed themselves to be purified and marry them as his wife. A glorious church! It is something we have to be ready for.
Jesus is the head of the church, and he loves his bride. When we surrender and yield to him, he sanctifies us. He does the work of sanctification, but we have to cooperate with him. And he has so many ways of doing this. I will mention 3:
1. The Word
“Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to Himself as a glorious church, without stain or wrinkle or any such blemish, but holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5:26-27
The word of God is water—it is Jesus himself. We must meditate on it day and night and allow it to wash us.
“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith, which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15
2. The Holy Spirit
A close relationship with the Holy Spirit through prayer and communion, allowing him to teach us and guide us, purifies us because he is the Spirit of truth, fire, and holiness. He also empowers us to live a holy life.
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you.” John 14:26
“When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. For He will not speak on His own, but He will speak what He hears, and He will declare to you what is to come.” John 16:13
The Holy Spirit also intercedes for us according to the will of God and prays through us (Romans 8:26). He is our helper. Be close to him and listen to him.
3. Gifts of the Holy Spirit
The gifts Jesus dispersed to his body through his various members are also important for sanctification. The gifts are given for the edification and equipping of the body of Christ. Allowing ourselves to benefit from the gifts Jesus has given to our fellow members (our brothers and sisters in Christ) is also one of the graces the Lord Jesus left behind for the church to come to maturity. We must honor one another’s gifts and submit to one another if we hope to be sanctified as well. Jesus has planned that we cannot grow in a bubble; we need each other.
“And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.” Ephesians 4:11-13
“But in fact, God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:18-20
Sanctification is a process
In conclusion, sanctification is a process, and it depends on our willingness to yield to the Holy Spirit’s work in our hearts. We can refuse to be sanctified, and each person’s process will be different because we all have different things the Holy Spirit is purifying in us; our responses to him will be different, and our levels of cooperation and discipline will differ.
All in all, we should extend grace to one another and be patient with one another because Jesus is! He is at work. Trust the work that he is doing in others!
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Have you given your life to Jesus Christ to be your Lord and Savior? He loves us so much that he, our creator, left heaven and came to earth, died for us on the cross taking our sins upon him so that we may be forgiven and receive his righteousness. He conquered death by rising from the dead and made a way for us who were dead in sin to be reconciled back to the Father (God). What’s more, he has prepared a wonderful home for us in heaven, where those who love him and obey him will spend eternity with him. Learn more here about how to be born again and have eternal life after this brief life on earth.
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