Sanctification

Main Scripture: Romans 6:1-23

“First and foremost, we will have to differentiate the two terminologies: Sanctification and Justification which in most cases are usually considered to be of the same meaning.

Justification: is a process/result of being made holy (According to the bible dictionary).

Sanctification:  is the progressive work of God that makes us more and more free from sin. It is separation to the service of God. We are separated to serve; to offer ourselves to God. By this, we are to live holy lives.

He is the way, the truth and the life… our path into righteousness

Titus 3:5 “Not by works of righteousness which we done, but according to His mercy He saved us by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

God will not receive you because you have money or are of influence in your community. It is by His mercy and grace that we receive Christ and are sanctified. By this, we are justified by being cleansed of all our sins; and by living a holy life, we are assured of living a long life and a good life among others.

Therefore the difference between the two is that;

While sanctification is an internal condition and an in-dwelling process, justification is a legal standing once and for all where one is given some commandments that defines ones path.

Stages of Sanctification

–          Definite moral change that occurs in our lives; Our salvation is by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost and not by our works of righteousness (Titus 3:5)… Read 1 John 3:9

–          It is progressive and occurs throughout our lives; we live in a sinful world and at times we do fall into the temptations that surround us. We need sanctification each and every day.

–          Completed at death; beyond death, one doesn’t need to be sanctified because already his soul has departed from his body. Also remember, one’s soul cannot be redeemed at his/ her funeral if he/ she died in sin.

Romans 6:1(KJV) “What shall we then say? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

Romans 6: 13 (New Living Translation) “Do not let any part of your body become a tool of wickedness, to be used for sinning. Instead, give yourselves completely to God since you have been given new life. And use your whole body as a tool to do what is right for the glory of God…”

Remember Galatians 6:8 talks of harvesting destruction when we follow our selfish desires. Following the spirit however will harvest us eternal life. When we follow our selfish desires, we cannot please God (Romans 8:8).

However choosing to follow one’s own desires (usually termed as the desires of the flesh) is a choice. You can choose the contrary. Let not your environment be an excuse, the people around you or your upbringing. The verse says DO NOT which definitely shows that one has a say, a choice and that we can choose not to. Sin is sin. Whether you are just a drunkard, a fornicator or some guy who just had to steal some small cash from wherever; all of them are equally sinful.”

 

By Bishop Ratori wa Ratori

Let us all purpose to live a holy life… the fact that our sins are already atoned for on the cross does mean we have to keep on sinning and beg for mercy and grace. More so, let us remember that “the church cannot be made perfect because of intercessors but by sanctification…”