5/20/12- Images of Sanctification

I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, Be holy for I am holy.  (Lev. 11:45)

⁹ For we are co-workers in God’s service;you are God’s field, God’s building.

¹⁰ By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as a wise builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should build with care. ¹¹ For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. ¹² If anyone builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, ¹³ their work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each person’s work.¹⁴ If what has been built survives, the builder will receive a reward. ¹⁵ If it is burned up, the builder will suffer loss but yet will be saved—even though only as one escaping through the flames.

¹⁶ Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? (1 Corinthians 3:9-16) 

Q. 35. What is sanctification?
A. Sanctification is a free gift of God by which our whole person is made new in the
image of God, and we are made more and more able to become dead to sin and alive to
righteousness. 

(Picture of LMPC Men making a new sidewalk at church office)

• We are building the church. Brick by brick. Every time we attend worship. Every time we pray. Every time we do something for God instead of for ourselves. And we will also find we are building ourselves up- living for a purpose in the process.  Sanctification is the process of building.  It is described in the Bible as a process- like a plant growing (so abide in the vine); like a building being built (so rely on the cornerstone); like a runner running a race (so keep your eye on the prize); like a fighter fighting the good fight (working for the crown to come).  Sanctification is just a word to describe what happens after we get into the ring, into the race, start the building, start living as a Christian.  It is a mysterious, wonderous, and glorious pilgrimage through this life God has given us.  Sometimes God surprises us by causing us to grow through hardship and suffering.  Sometimes there is joy in the journey.  

  Prayer: Help me, Lord, to answer your call to grow, bear fruit, to love you in response to your love for me, to reach out to my neighbor for you have reached out to me.  Keep me from being complacent or growing cold in my love for you.