I don’t hear the term sanctification much today. In fact, the word sanctification has been largely absent in most of my Christian experience. Having taken some time to investigate sanctification, it became apparent to me that sanctification is and has been a large part of my spiritual journey. For what ever reason, the word sanctification has been replaced by a whole host of phrases and words that I commonly hear and use. Here are few words I believe are synonymous with sanctification: holiness … perfection … transformation … purity … eternal life … saint, et al.
Here are some phrases that seem to be synonymous: … being Jesus in the world, …living out the kingdom of God on this earth, … following Jesus, … living for Jesus, … being a Godly person, … living a life that pleases God, … living a Christ-like life, et al.
Perhaps the word sanctification is too theological for our post-modern age with its tendency to more casual and familiar relationships with God, I am not sure. But I am certain, sanctification is a big deal and I need to understand it more deeply. A significant part of my journey is the “fleshing out” of those words and terms above. For example, the idea of “being Jesus in the world” is the focus of much prayer and study and many conversations. I am convinced that a more truthful and deeper understanding of sanctification will implicitly give clarity to what “being Jesus in the world” looks like when it is lived out. The point is not that I need to use the word sanctification but that I need to immerse myself in the reality of God’s action in our lives as his redeemed children.