Sanctification

As believers, we possess a desire to become like Christ. Our sanctification should not be a passive process. It should not be one in which we cruise, relax and have an idle attitude toward. Rather, we should actively pursue and seek after sanctification (Hebrews 12:14).

One of the purposes for our home group this year is to help and encourage each member in their desire and pursuit of Christlikeness. This is a process that will literally take a lifetime, so what better way to work this out than within an encouraging and supportive church or home group environment.

So, what is sanctification?
According to scripture, there is positional sanctification. This means to be made Holy, or to be set apart by God and for God.
It is an instantaneous act of God in which believers are declared Holy (1 Corinthians 1:2; Hebrews 10:10).
This describes our position before God and should be distinguished from progressive sanctification.

Progressive sanctification is the ongoing process in which believers become more and more like Christ and in which the hold of sin in our lives lessens.
It is the progressive sanctification that we are concerned with here.

But to me, one of the most mind-blowing things about the process of sanctification is that as believers, we already reflect the glory of God, but as our knowledge of Him grows and as our relationship with Him deepens, more and more of His glory will be reflected in us (2 Corinthians 3:18).

When does progressive sanctification begin?
The process of sanctification begins the moment we are regenerated.
John 3:3 says:
Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

The moment we are born-again, we are regenerated.
Ezekiel 36:25-27 gives a picture of regeneration whereby God sprinkles a sinner with water to cleanse him from all his filthiness, gives the man a new heart and puts His spirit within him.

Regeneration is an instantaneous, sovereign act of God whereby a spiritually dead person is raised into a new life in Christ (Ephesians 2:1-6).

With regeneration comes a new heart and new desires. In a true believer, this is instantly noticeable.
A desire to know God and a desire for holiness should be apparant in a true believer. A desire to worship, serve, honour and obey God is instilled in him.
These new desires, however are not just God focussed, but also focussed on others. A new desire to love and serve others is also instilled in a new believer.

These new desires are impossible in a natural man, in his ungenerated state.

Even though we have new desires, it is important to note that we still have our old desires. Worldly desires, desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-17).
This is an on-going battle whereby the desires of the flesh opposes the new desires placed in us by the Holy Spirit and tries to lead us into sin, but the Holy Spirit sustains our new desires from being devoured by the desires of the flesh.

Our part in the process.
This then, requires a concerted effort on our part, gaining our strength from God, to strive for sustained obedience to God and for Holiness (2 Corinthians 7:1).

I love the analogy Paul uses in Philippians 3:10-14 whereby he likens a runner in a race to the process of christian growth. Whilst the runner is running his race, he has not yet won, but he must have the determination to press on to win his prize.
So it is with our daily process of sanctification. While we may reflect the glory of God, we have not yet attained the prize of Heavenly rewards and glorification. We must press on with our eyes on the prize and be determined to win.

In order to help us in our constant battle we should:
1) Seek Gods strength through persistent and earnest prayer
2) Abide or remain in Christ
3) Saturate ourselves in His word daily. Not only read God's Word, but to also apply what we read. This is critical.
In James 1:22-24, James likens those who read God's Word, but upon reading doesn't make any changes to their lives to a man who gets up in the morning, looks and then leaves without making changes to the way he looks.
In reality, no man leaves for work without first showering, shaving, combing his hair and brushing his teeth before dressing appropriately.
Why then do we so often fail to change what we see must be changes, but do not.
We must be prepared to analyse what we see in the mirror (Scripture) and be prepared to make the necessary adjustments to what we see or know to be unsightly.

Back to the Home Group
To bring this back to a home group perspective, we shouldn't feel that we are alone in doing this. Sanctification and battling sin on a hourly basis is no easy task and it is certainly no easy road.

Whilst as believers we carry some responsibility for our own sin and our practice before God, there is a great amount of nourishment and refreshment to be gained from a God-centered home group.