Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 Sanctification of the Church

 Jonah 3:1-10
        “The Ninevites believed God. They declared a fast, and all of them from the  greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.” – Jonah 3:5
 

Sanctification is the work of God. Christ the head of the Church has set the Church free from the reign of Sin. The Holy Spirit leads us to the sanctification that God the Father desires. St. Paul say, “Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” (Gal. 5:16) 

God commissioned Prophet Jonah to proclaim His Judgement against this great city called Nineveh (Jonah 3:4). But what saved Nineveh from God’s wrath was their immediate response to the call for repentance and sanctification. Nineveh’s  sinfulness can be compared with the city of Sodom, but what is different here in  Nineveh is that they treated God’s message to them with great urgency (Vv. 5-9) 

Justification is entirely God’s work, but Sanctification involves an individual’s complete response and Cooperation with God. Resist evil and walk by the Holy  Spirit. We grow daily in holiness as led by the Holy Spirit. The growth of trees and plants takes place so slowly that it is not easily seen. Daily we notice little change. But in course of time, we see that a great change has taken place. This is grace. So, Sanctification is a progressive, lifelong work (Prov. 4:18). It is an amazing work of God’s grace and it is a work to be prayed for (Rom. 8:27). 

Sanctification of the Church is possible when the mission of spreading the Gospel of a Compassionate God is proclaimed daily through our life and witness, thus leading many to the Kingdom of God.
 
Prayer
I confess that I have sinned against you O father, Son and Holy Spirit. I am sorry with all my heart. Forgive me and sanctify me to proclaim your greatness to all around me. – Amen.

Thought for the day
“There is no justification without Sanctification, no forgiveness without renewal of life, no real faith from which the fruits of new obedience do not grow.” -Martin Luther.

Mrs. Asha Elizabeth Abraham
MTC Kolkata Parsonage

Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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