Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Sanctification of the Church
Romans 13: 11-14
 

Kurien T. Oommen (Biju)
CSI Congregation of Hudson Valley, NY

We are sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ” 

Indians are well aware of the cults that follow holy men and women who are self-made gods. As a country with numerous religions and cults, some people blindly believe in these individuals and treat them as holy ones. Once they declare that they are holy and received a vision, they change their names and their houses are turned to ashrams.  People who visit them take precautions to preserve the sanctity of their ashrams by taking off their shoes, washing themselves or covering their heads before entering into these dwellings.  These holy people claim that they are sanctified and a new creation.
We as Christians think of sanctification differently -- not as something we can attain ourselves, through our own efforts. Sanctification is given by God's grace.
What is sanctification? In the Old Testament, we see that members of the Levite tribe are called to become priests to perform temple duties. They are separated and sanctified for a great purpose. These priests are anointed to do holy duties, including sacrifices for the remission of sin. These rituals are repeated because of the sinful nature of men. God commanded it, since He is holy and cannot tolerate sin.
Psalm 53:2 says, "God looks down from heaven upon the children of men to see if there are any who understand, who seek God.” Yet God’s compassionate nature and love for His children ended up in the greatest sacrifice. Jesus Christ, son of God gave up His life so that our sins are forgiven and we received free entry to the heaven. He was the bridge between the Old and New Testaments.
John 1:12 says, "But as many as received Him [Jesus Christ], to them He gave the right to become children of God."  Ephesians 2:5 says, "It is the grace of God that we are saved."
Sanctification of the Church is a definitive act of God and a spiritual experience that begins when we (members) accept Jesus Christ as our Savior. Once we confess our sins, we are saved (Psalm 32:5). Once we are saved, we ought to live according to God’s will. Romans 13:11 – 14 tells us that we need to walk properly and cast off the works of darkness. We are sanctified by the blood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13: 12) and are anointed to do God’s will as long as we live in this world. As Christians, we have to constantly remind ourselves that we are saved by the grace of God and are called to do good to others and keep ourselves holy. Let us submit ourselves to God so that the Holy Spirit guides us and keeps us until we reach the final destination, to be with our Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYER

Almighty God, thank You for giving us the grace to know Your loving nature. Keep us Holy until we reach our eternal home in heaven. Amen.


THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
“Lead a holy life that takes us to the holy place.”
  

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