Christ, Our Sactification

Last week we meditated on the glorious truth that Christ's perfect righteousness is imputed to us at the moment of salvation. This is the doctrine of justification. Today we will go a step further. Not only is righteousness imputed to every believer in justification, it is imparted in the process known as sanctification. The root word in the Greek for “sanctify” is “hagiazo” which means “to make holy” or “to set apart for a sacred purpose.” It is used 40 times in the New Testament and applies to both persons and things.

It is far easier for most Christians to grasp that Jesus is our “righteousness,” than that He is also our “sanctification.” Yet it is impossible for a believer to have one without the other. Those whom God justifies, He also makes holy. We must understand the relationship and the distinctions between justification and sanctification.

Have you learned to look to Jesus as not only the Author, but also the Finisher, of your faith (Heb. 12:2)? Christ is our “life” (Col. 3:4). This includes our spiritual life. Jesus died for our purity (Tit. 2:14). He is presently interceding that our faith will not fail (Lk. 22:32). Yes, Christ IS our sanctification! Therefore let us deal directly with Him. If we will actively cooperate with His Holy Spirit, He will do IN us what Jesus is now doing FOR us at the right hand of the Father!