Dearest brethren,
2 Cor.7:1 says: Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. NKJV
This Scripture is one of those vital present day continuous experience in our lives. What do I mean by vital? The Bible shows us that there is a past tense and a vital part to our salvation. The past tense is what Jesus already accomplished for us in His death, burial, resurrection, ascension to the right hand of the Father and our being raised together with Him. (See Eph. 1:20-21 and Eph.2:6.) This is the finished work of Christ and it is past tense. It is done; He’ll never die again for us. It’s a done deal.
The vital part of our salvation however is how we now daily walk out our salvation. The Bible says work out your own salvation with fear and trembling or with much reverential fear. (Read Phil. 2:12-13)
Last week we pointed out the importance of us living a holy life now that we are saved and in Christ. There is a continuous work of sanctification that needs to happen in our lives. What is sanctification? The English dictionary shows us that to sanctify is to set apart or to make holy. It’s like the verb of holiness and it’s an ongoing work.
How do we make sure that sanctification is going on in our lives? First of all, we must decide and determine that we are going to live a holy life. And then we must fellowship with a holy God every day. There’s nothing as sanctifying as God’s Word and His presence. His presence is a sanctifying presence. His word, the Bible says, washes us. It’s like taking a bath/shower when you allow His word to change you.
Eph. 5:25-27 says: “Just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” NKJV
Jesus gave Himself to see it that we are continually sanctified with the washing of the water by the Word so He can present us to Himself as a holy bride without blemish. Amplified Bible puts it this way: Eph. 5:27 Amp. That He might present the church to Himself in glorious splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such things [that she might be holy and faultless].
Did you know that Jesus Christ is today our Sanctifier? Yes He is our sanctification. (Read 1 Cor. 1:30.) He is our riddance of all unholy living. When we fellowship (spend intimate time) with Him in prayer and the Word, we’re continually becoming more holy. Let’s say: “Jesus, You are my Sanctifier; You are my riddance of all that’s dirty and sinful. You’re sanctifying me now, making me holy and without blemish. Thank You Lord Jesus!”
