07/23/2024 – “Sanctification” / 2 of 2/ “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us … sanctification …” (1 Corinthians 1:30). / Comment attached
“The Life Side. The Mystery of sanctification is that the perfect qualities of Jesus Christ are imparted as as a gift to me, not gradually, but instantly once I enter by faith into the realization that He ‘became for {me}… sanctification …’ Sanctification means nothing less than the holiness of Jesus becoming mine and being exhibited in my life.
The most wonderful secret of having a holy life does not lie in imitating Jesus, but in letting the perfect qualities of Jesus exhibit themselves in my human flesh. Sanctification is ‘Christ in you …’ (Colossians 1:27). It is His wonderful life that is imparted to me in sanctification — imparted by faith as a sovereign gift of God’s grace. Am I willing for God to make sanctification as real in me as it is in His Word?
Sanctification means the impartation of the holy qualities of Jesus Christ to me. It is the gift of His patience, love, holiness, faith, purity, and godliness that is exhibited in and through every sanctified soul. Sanctification is not drawing from Jesus the power to be holy — it is drawing from Jesus the very holiness that was exhibited in Him, and that He now exhibits in me. Sanctification is an impartation, not an imitation. Imitation is something altogether different. The perfection of everything is in Jesus Christ, and the mystery of sanctification is that all the perfect qualities of Jesus are at my disposal. Consequently, I slowly but surely begin to live a life of inexpressible order, soundness, and holiness —‘… kept by the power of God.. (1 Peter 1:5).”
Soli Deo Gloria!
Insert:
My physical and cognitive abilities , barring injury or illness, are slowly but surely declining up until my death, just as my holy qualities are growing by the grace of God! Coining that phrase from John Piper again: “God is most glorified in Us when we are most satisfied with Him.” (see “Desiring God” by John Piper). Indeed, I become more and more satisfied with the passing of time, despite an increasingly evil world around me. The Kingdom of God is here, amidst the fight and it will remain impregnable forever. (Ephesians 6:13). Our God Reigns!
“But from Him you are in Christ Jesus, who for us became wisdom from God as well as righteousness, sanctification, and redemption, in order that, as it is written: The one who boasts must boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:31