How often do we think about sin? Now, in many instances we know right from wrong. We try to do what is right. We know that murder, stealing, and lying are all wrong. Do we give each the same thought? Do we try to justify our sins and compare how we sin to how others sin? Maybe we think that someone sins more than I do so I could be worse, or I am a good person most of the time. We might say, “well at least I didn’t murder someone.” Whatever excuse or justification we try to come up with, we all sin and fall short or the glory of God. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
Scripture shows us that ALL sin needs to be repented of. “Sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar” (Gal. 5:19-20). Upon faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we are justified in the eyes of God and begin our Sanctification process.
Sanctification is the decreasing frequency of sin, and is a lifelong process. It is the work of the Holy Spirit indwelled within us upon our salvation and justification before God. We are declared justified by the Lord through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ which frees us from the guilt of sin. True Sanctification is the process of God’s transforming work in our lives. Sanctification frees us from the contamination of sin. It helps us destroy our sinful tendencies and, through the work of the Holy Spirit within us, grow to reflect the Holiness of God.
Jesus said, “Sanctify them by the truth; your Word is truth (John 17:17). The Bible, God-breathed Truth, shows us God’s will for our Sanctification. “For this is the will of God, your Sanctification (1 Thes. 4:3). “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
Our Sanctification is a lifelong process by which we learn God’s Word, love God’s Word, hate all sin for it all pains the Lord. Sanctification thus leads us to walk in the path of Jesus Christ more and more each and every day.
