Do You Know What Sanctification Is?

When I graduated from seminary I told my advisor that I would not be one of those theologians who constantly threw around the ‘big words’: justification, sanctification, redemption etc. 

They are terms that live somewhere in the universe; only understood by those who study theology — the scholarly types.

However, since I have been dwelling in the truth of the Holy Spirit; and since this weeks New Testament reading  was from Colossians 3.  I am faced with one of those ‘big words’ — sanctification.

One of those scholarly types wrote this: 

“This is one of the classic New Testament passages that speak, in effect, of “sanctification,” that is, of new life that the Holy Spirit works in us.  This sanctification is a work of God in us; it flows from the purely divine work of “justification” — the act whereby Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us, a work of grace alone, in which our actions have no part…it is a work of God that also involves us….We participate in it.  But how?  What is our role? How does God’s action relate to ours in this matter of new life? (Feasting on the Word, vol.1. Year C; John W. Coakley p.158)

I wrote in my last blog:

The Holy Spirit is conceived in us — lives in us — becomes pregnant in us.

And then enables us to be God’s word, God’s light.

We are to reveal, to the world, the love of God, His peace, His will.

So here we have an example, In Colossians 3, of the things God does in us that change us from the inside out.

We are clothed — our heart is clothed — by the Holy Spirit — to be: 

compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. ¹³Bearing with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive… thankful… forgive…

Just imagine.

We are to, in all of these way, emulate these qualities that are alive in  Jesus.

In other words we are to “Love” as Jesus loved; in all of those wonderful qualities.

Coakely then would have us wonder: 

“….We participate in it.  

                                     But how?  

                    What is our role? 

How does God’s action relate to ours in this matter of new life?”

Well, let me add my simple answer.  We don’t, consciously “do” anything  — not really.  We have faith, and the desire to live as God would have us live.

We have faith in what God can do in, and through. us.

But it is not an instant, quick, thing that happens BANG!

No, it is a gradual process over many years.

The Holy Spirit takes us from Baptism to adulthood — and beyond — consistently molding us to be.

Some of the qualities that Paul mentions can be built into our hearts faster than others.  

Even as tiny children innately have a sense of what it mean to be kind, or have compassion toward others.

The most difficult qualities might be humility, or patience, forgiving, or even thankful.   

Most certainly forgiveness.

Those all take a bit more works.  Especially when we grow older and our egos take over.

Now, I want you to try something.  I want you to think back over your life and reflect on how you have grown from being one person to another through all the circumstances of your living.

I am thinking that that exercise will reveal to you some interesting changes in your faith growth and ability to be less navel-centered.

I truly believe that as we move from life experience to life experience God moves us closer to his plan for our present moment right now today.

Example:

When I was a young mother I see myself as somewhat impatient with myself and my children.

Today I cringe at that truth. 

By the way I have apologized many time to my daughters for that.

12 As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. ¹³Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. ¹⁴Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. ¹⁵And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. ¹⁶Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. ¹⁷And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.(Col. 3)