24/03/2012 - Our sanctification

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And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

John 17:19

We’re aware that sanctification is of uttermost relevance to our lives for without it we will never see our God (Hebrews 12:14). However, even being aware of what it represents to our eternal happiness we, at times, put it at stake and end up paying a high price for that. Now, those who live their lives being chronically tempted by the devil with filthy thoughts and wrong desires should not struggle with their own means to achieve sanctification; after all, just like in one of Jesus’ prayers, sanctification comes from The Truth! Of course we must live a life of prayer and fasting, but though we might be the most dedicated ones only sheer understanding of The Truth will sanctify us.

The Lord is already sanctified in our instead. What He did for us grants us for sure a successful life in all senses. So, to reach such divine grace we don’t need to add anything from what men have created to be sanctified. As a matter of fact, for us to enjoy the divine forgiveness or any other blessing we only have to believe in what the Scriptures declare. The biggest sinner amongst men will be surely sanctified if only he or she just believes.

Those who find it hard to leave behind evil thoughts or lewd desires – and, for that reason, they keep on falling into error – provided they’re willing to be delivered from those sinful practices, they must urgently watch out not to be disqualified and they are also to pay heed to The Word of God considering that that’s the way He will sanctify them.

If you happen to have gone through the unfortunate experience of falling into transgression there’s no need for despair as your first thought would be that your salvation is now lost. Confess your sins; ask, with faith, for them to be forgiven while you make the decision of not committing those things any longer, and see that your life will take a complete turn. Have an eye open at all times for the enemy is the one around bringing you temptations all the time, and then he attempts to make you believe that you have committed an error which you will not be forgiven for.

David, the man after God’s heart, committed adultery and, on top of that, he was the mastermind of a murder (II Samuel 11:2), but he ended up paying too high a price. He shouldn’t have done any of that, however, when it dawned on him and when he confessed his mistake The Lord did forgive him in the end. My brother, it doesn’t matter the transgression you might’ve committed, if you take it before The Most High and confess it, His forgiveness will be granted to you indeed. Nonetheless, for all those who think of fooling around with sin here comes my warning: harder it is for an intentional sin to be forgiven. Therefore, it is better – much better – to be sanctified and drift away from evil!

Everything in the Bible was written for our apprenticeship. Do not let your heart get corrupted otherwise you’ll end up in error. Those who believe that later on it will be enough just to confess their sin and then they’ll surely be forgiven might be in trouble. It’s true that our Father forgives us, but you mustn’t play with fire because you might get burnt in the end. Serve The Almighty with your whole heart in that, this way, apart from enjoying peace, you’ll be absolutely certain that you’ll be kept away from the devil.

In Christ, with love,

R.R. Soares