Dr. Dixie, what does it mean to be “sanctified”? I’ve always heard it as negative: i.e. “She is so sanctimonious I can’t stand to be around her.” Yet I know the Bible says we’re to be “sanctified”. Please clarify. I don’t want to be obnoxious to those who don’t know Jesus!
The words sanctify and sanctification in the New Testament are always used in the context of setting apart and dedication. Sanctification is the act of God’s grace by which believers are separated from sin and become dedicated to God’s righteousness—imputed to us through salvation. We are sanctified in an instant at salvation and purified from the deadly poison of guilt and sin. This work of a moment begins the lifelong process of sanctifi cation; resulting in increasing freedom from the sinful thought and behavior habits we’ve learned from the world that surrounds us.
Satan knows very well that we’re set free from all his power through the sanctification of salvation, and that he cannot ever cancel or reverse our salvation. So, in order to destroy the sanctifying effect God wants His children to have on our sin-broken world, Satan twists God’s good gifts by poisoning our attitudes toward those good gifts. For example, through his perversion, the good gift of sex becomes selfish promiscuity; the gift of food becomes gluttony; the gift of rest becomes laziness. Likewise, to keep us from maturing and growing deeper in sanctified relationship with God, he distorts the beauty of sanctification into a proud, poisonous, sanctimonious attitude. Sanctimonious means to make a show of being morally superior to other people. sanctimony (n): feigned piety or righteousness; hypocritical devoutness or high-mindedness.
1 Peter 3:15 says: “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” Gentleness and reverence eliminates boasting and prideful sanctimony as we grow up in sanctification. Choosing gentle and reverent behavior in human relationships sets us apart in a sin-broken world. (1 Thessalonians 4:3-5) Understanding sanctification is essential to maturity. Just as we desire for our children to mature physically, emotionally and intellectually, our heavenly Father intends for us to grow up also, not remaining childish and self-centered.
Colossians 3:3-14 (from The Message) describes practical sanctification that is not sanctimonious: Your old life is dead. Your new real life, is with Christ in God…and that means killing off everything connected with that death: sexual promiscuity, impurity, lust, doing whatever you feel like doing whenever you feel like it, and grabbing whatever attracts your fancy. That is a life shaped by things and feelings instead of by God…but you know better now. Make sure it’s all gone for good: bad temper, irritability, meanness, profanity and dirty talk. You’re done with that. It’s like filthy, ill-fitting clothing you’ve stripped off and put in the fire. Now you’re dressed in a new wardrobe. Every item of your new life is custom-made by the Creator, with His label on it. All the old fashions are now obsolete… so in this new life of love, dress in the wardrobe God chose for you: compassion, kindness, humility, quiet strength, discipline. Be even-tempered and forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it!
Infinite Grace Ministries is a Biblical Guidance ministry that teaches how to become free from the wrong thinking we’ve all absorbed from the world around us. We fight the good fight of faith by renewing our minds and learning to think and talk in agreement with God. Call 580-774-2884 to begin your journey to freedom today!
