The Cost of Sanctification

February 8th, 2017 by Dave Leave a reply »

May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely… —1 Thessalonians 5:23

When we pray, asking God to sanctify us, are we prepared to measure up to what that really means? We take the word sanctification much too lightly. Are we prepared to pay the cost of sanctification? The cost will be a deep restriction of all our earthly concerns, and an extensive cultivation of all our godly concerns. Sanctification means to be intensely focused on God’s point of view. It means to secure and to keep all the strength of our body, soul, and spirit for God’s purpose alone. Are we really prepared for God to perform in us everything for which He separated us? And after He has done His work, are we then prepared to separate ourselves to God just as Jesus did? “For their sakes I sanctify Myself…” (John 17:19). The reason some of us have not entered into the experience of sanctification is that we have not realized the meaning of sanctification from God’s perspective. Sanctification means being made one with Jesus so that the nature that controlled Him will control us. Are we really prepared for what that will cost? It will cost absolutely everything in us which is not of God.

Are we prepared to be caught up into the full meaning of Paul’s prayer in this verse? Are we prepared to say, “Lord, make me, a sinner saved by grace, as holy as You can”? Jesus prayed that we might be one with Him, just as He is one with the Father (see John 17:21-23). The resounding evidence of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life is the unmistakable family likeness to Jesus Christ, and the freedom from everything which is not like Him. Are we prepared to set ourselves apart for the Holy Spirit’s work in us?

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Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord, Today, like many days, Chambers brings a mixed message. At least one that can be taken different ways. Depending on which part we focus on. Or the place we are already coming from and ready to hear. The verse says it’s God’s work to sanctify us

May the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely… —1 Thessalonians 5:23

So phrases like, Are we prepared to pay the cost? … to “measure up” don’t seem to fit.

I suppose the reason that I react against those phrases are the insinuation or at least my association with bootstrapping, willpower and just trying harder. Which hasn’t worked for me. Like it didn’t work for the Pharisees in Jesus’ day. They were the ones who worked the formula the hardest… Went to church most, read their Bible the most, and prayed the most. So the “work hard” perspective can’t be what Paul and the Spirit are referring to. So what then? When I begin to see that Jesus has already done all the hard work, and said “It is finished” when he was done… it all begins to clear up. It seems that my job is to just get out of the way. And let the results of his completed work, work themselves out in my life. Perhaps the best definition of what gets in the way of that is my “Big Four” needs. To look good, feel good, be right and be in control. With those out of the way, there is room for your completed work to do it’s work in me. So, what then, is “my part?” And why do I seem to so easily de-rail this sanctification plan that you have for me?

You have identified 4 motivations that all humans are hard wired with. You have also correctly noted that will power will not be able to overcome them, long term. But I have overcome them. That’s what I came to show you how to do. It is at the cross that you can leave them behind. After the cross is resurrection. Not just after your last breath, but every time you come there. Remember I said, Pick up your cross DAILY. Many shy away from that, because a Cross is an instrument of death, not a pleasant thought. But a resurrection is on the other side of every cross. So as you bring those Big Four motivations to the cross, boldly know that there is a resurrection waiting for you. It is there that we will enjoy sweet communion.

Revelation 3:20 I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

And it is there that sanctification can happen easily. Like surfing a wave, where the wave provides all the power. I have provided all the power, and spent 3 years demonstrating it’s use for all humanity.

It seems so clear. Why do I fall off the surfboard so easily?

Like surfing, it takes practice. Just keep coming deeper in. You are on the right track. I will show you helpful tips along the way. That are customized and special for you… who I made like no other. But these basics we’ve been discussing are true for all humans.

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