And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth. (John 17:19)
Sanctification means “to be set apart” for God. That is,
when I walk into a room, or go outside my door, or even sit down at my desk to
write, my life is for God, not myself.
A sanctified person wants God to be noticed, Jesus Christ
to be exalted, and the Holy Spirit to be in control. A sanctified person is not
concerned about personal prominence, personal glory, or being in charge of
anything. This can happen to Christians because Jesus first did it Himself. He lives
in me, so by being yielded to Him (setting myself apart from my own desires), I
also live a sanctified life that gives glory to God.
The parallel between humility and sanctification is
strong. Also, both qualities go two ways. That is, God sets us apart as His
people, but we must also choose to live that way. God does it, but I’m to
cooperate.
Not only that, while I am sanctified, I am also being
sanctified. This is both a reality and a process, something like enlisting in
the army. Those who sign up are at once soldiers, but it takes training and
experience before they are able to act like soldiers.
Lord, it seems that I have been in training for a long
time. I know that I belong to You, yet so often I act like I belong to myself. Make
me aware today of the choices and opportunities of being able to live a
sanctified life. From what Jesus said, this means I will also be living in
truth, living according to who I really am — and I can only live like this because
of You and Your grace to me.
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