Pleased to Sanctify

It is an often somber thought for me to reflect upon my sinfulness in comparison with God's holiness. As a sinner saved before the foundation of the world, though not believing until much more recent history, I continually struggle to place one foot in front of the other on this seemingly never ending path to holiness. Will I ever overcome this sin in me? Will my sanctification ever be complete?

I mentioned in a previous post that I was listening to the book Stepping Heavenward by Elizabeth Prentiss. In this sweet and enlightening work, Prentiss emphasizes her struggle with sanctification. She states multiple times that God is just as willing and able to sanctify a sinner as He is to redeem her. I found freedom in that thought. God, who was pleased to save me before time in His infinite grace, is just as pleased to sanctify me now.

Yesterday, as our pastor, Joe Tolin, preached from Ephesians 1:3-6, he stated simply that, "Our sanctification is just as certain as our salvation." Just as salvation was nothing of our doing, but God's, Pastor Joe went on to say that, "sanctification is not based on our ability; it is rooted in God's promise." He described sanctification as two-fold. First, there was a declaration of sanctification where God declared me sanctified, holy, blameless before Him covered by the blood of the Lamb. Second, there is now a process of sanctification where the Spirit of God daily works in me, turning me from sin, stirring me to good works, calling me to holiness.

So just as I rest in the certainty of God's sovereignty and grace in my salvation, I now also rest in the certainty of His faithfulness and love in my sanctification. The blood of Jesus covers me, and I am presented sanctified before the almighty, holy God. This unfathomable truth makes me desire nothing more than to savor Christ and walk in holiness.

"For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified."

Hebrews 10:14