You might be saying; “I automatically reject any word that
has more than four syllables.” This is not true because the word “automatically”
contains six syllables.
Yes, I know, the words “sanctification” and “sanctimonious”
are long words, but if you’ll take the time to get to know some of these terms,
you’ll be better equipped.
Here’s the main difference: “Sanctimonious” is to act holy. “Sanctified” is to be holy.
Does the Lord want all of us to act holy? No, not if it doesn’t
come from hearts of purity. That is Phariseeism which Jesus hates. That is to
be sanctimonious.
The word “sanctimonious,” according to the dictionary means
to be self-righteous or holier-than-thou. God doesn’t want us to be
hypocritical about our Spiritual condition. If we have flaws, and we do, we
should acknowledge them. We should recognize that, in ourselves, we are really
no better than anyone else out there. To my shame, I often see unbelievers (as
best as I can tell) who demonstrate qualities that I don’t always live out.
They are often kinder, more patient, more courteous, gentler, nobler, more optimistic,
less volatile and purer in thought than I am.
Now don’t get all pious on me here. I’ve seen the same lack
of virtue in many other Christians too, so it could be true of you as well. Don’t
you recognize it too? One thing we Christians should know is that we are not
saved because we’re good. We have been saved because God is good.
But, hopefully, being saved will begin a process of having a
good heart and practicing good conduct. This is sanctification. Jesus said “No
one is good but One, that is, God.” (Mark 10.18) The scripture also says; “For
all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3.23) This means
that we have all missed the mark. So if we’re going to do good, we’re going to
have to get this goodness from God. It doesn’t come naturally – only supernaturally.
When we’re justified, born again, we are made righteous in
God’s eyes. This is positional
righteousness. We are pronounced right or righteous by God based on the merits
of his good and holy Son, Jesus Christ. His righteousness is imputed to our
account just as our sin was imputed to him on the cross.
At the same time, he sanctifies us – sets us apart unto him
or makes us holy. So if we’re going to be holy, we have to get it from him as
well. That is sanctification.
From the time that we’re saved, we enter into a process of sanctification. This is practical righteousness. Because of our
love for Jesus and because of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives, now
we have the opportunity and the responsibility to live in a holy manner. The
word of God says:
…but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." (1 Peter 1.15-16)
Now, while we are in the process of becoming more like our
Lord, growing in holiness, let us lay aside all pretense. If it ain’t there, it
ain’t there. Let’s not feign that it is.
I like these words which have been attributed to John Newton
the former slave trader who was saved by the grace of Jesus and then later
helped abolish slavery in England:
I'm not what I ought to be.
I'm not what I want to be.
I'm not what I hope to be.
But thank God,
I'm not what I used to be.
Recently I preached from 1 Corinthians 1.2. In this verse, we
read these words:
…to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus,
called to be saints…
Children of God, you HAVE BEEN sanctified (past tense), Jesus has set you apart unto himself as holy ones but
he has also called you to BE saints. This
is the process of appropriating what you know to be true – that you have been sanctified.
Now, go into the land and possess your possession.[ii]
[i]
John 17.17; Acts 20.32
[ii] Then
Joshua said to the children of Israel: "How long will you neglect to go
and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers has given you? (Joshua
18.3)
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