Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Jesus Christ Who Sanctifies
Exodus 12: 21-28When the Lord goes through the land to strike down the Egyptians, he will see the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe and will pass over that doorway, and he will not permit the destroyer to enter your houses and strike you down (Exodus 12:23)
The Israelites, God's chosen people, were in exile for 400 years before God fulfilled the covenant He made with Abraham that He “will punish the nation they serve as slaves, and afterward they will come out with great possessions” (Gen 15: 14). God’s plan of redemption from slavery involved sacrifice of the Passover lamb (Exodus 12). The blood of lamb protected them from the wrath of death, freed them from the bondage of slavery, redeemed from the defilement of sin, and sanctified to dwell in the Holy presence with God.
As a fulfillment of the Passover lamb, Jesus Christ came to this world and secured deliverance from eternal death for each one of us through His atoning sacrifice. We are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect (1 Peter 1:18-19). Through His death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven He reveals Himself as a protector, savior, redeemer, and sanctifier.
Sanctification is God’s Gracious Gift
“Jesus also suffered outside the gate that He might sanctify the people through His own blood” (Hebrew 13:12). Sanctification means being made holy or set apart by God for His purpose. God set apart His own son Jesus, to redeem the harmony of His creation, which was broken by the disobedience of Adam and Eve. According to Paul, Jesus who, being in very nature of God, found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on the cross (Phil 2:6-8). He emptied Himself.
We have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ (Hebrew 10:10). Sanctification is freely available to all those who believe in Him and surrender to His will. The blood that Jesus shed on the cross washes us white as snow; it cleanses us, strengthens us; and makes us pure to stand before the Holy God. Are we ready to come to the cross, covered by His Blood, and be sanctified? As Paul reminds us, believers must work out their own “salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). Sanctification becomes a reality only when the believer accepts Jesus as the Savior and Redeemer.
Sanctification is Transformational
Transformation is the result of sanctification. The continuing journey of sanctification will result in the transformation of one’s heart and life. When a person is being sanctified, he becomes a new creation (2 Cor 5:17). He unites with God and grows in godliness. Through faith in the blood of Christ and repentance, we experience the forgiving and redemptive power of Jesus Christ (Eph 1:7). We become free from the bondage of sins and ready to be in union with the heavenly father, who alone is Holy.
Sanctification enables believers to transform completely into the image and likeness of Christ; and empowers to conform to the will of God. As Christ sanctified Himself and offered Himself entirely to God, we ought to surrender to His holiness. We enjoy this holiness and fellowship with God by partaking in His holy body and blood. The sanctifying power of Jesus’ blood cleanses our body and mind allowing us to emulate His qualities. As God's chosen people, strive to strengthen our relationship with God and fellow human beings; be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient (Col 3:12). See the world through the eyes of God to bring honor and glory to God as He intends.
As a fulfillment of the Passover lamb, Jesus Christ came to this world and secured deliverance from eternal death for each one of us through His atoning sacrifice. We are redeemed with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect (1 Peter 1:18-19). Through His death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven He reveals Himself as a protector, savior, redeemer, and sanctifier.
Sanctification is God’s Gracious Gift
“Jesus also suffered outside the gate that He might sanctify the people through His own blood” (Hebrew 13:12). Sanctification means being made holy or set apart by God for His purpose. God set apart His own son Jesus, to redeem the harmony of His creation, which was broken by the disobedience of Adam and Eve. According to Paul, Jesus who, being in very nature of God, found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to death, even death on the cross (Phil 2:6-8). He emptied Himself.
We have been sanctified through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ (Hebrew 10:10). Sanctification is freely available to all those who believe in Him and surrender to His will. The blood that Jesus shed on the cross washes us white as snow; it cleanses us, strengthens us; and makes us pure to stand before the Holy God. Are we ready to come to the cross, covered by His Blood, and be sanctified? As Paul reminds us, believers must work out their own “salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13). Sanctification becomes a reality only when the believer accepts Jesus as the Savior and Redeemer.
Sanctification is Transformational
Transformation is the result of sanctification. The continuing journey of sanctification will result in the transformation of one’s heart and life. When a person is being sanctified, he becomes a new creation (2 Cor 5:17). He unites with God and grows in godliness. Through faith in the blood of Christ and repentance, we experience the forgiving and redemptive power of Jesus Christ (Eph 1:7). We become free from the bondage of sins and ready to be in union with the heavenly father, who alone is Holy.
Sanctification enables believers to transform completely into the image and likeness of Christ; and empowers to conform to the will of God. As Christ sanctified Himself and offered Himself entirely to God, we ought to surrender to His holiness. We enjoy this holiness and fellowship with God by partaking in His holy body and blood. The sanctifying power of Jesus’ blood cleanses our body and mind allowing us to emulate His qualities. As God's chosen people, strive to strengthen our relationship with God and fellow human beings; be compassionate, kind, humble, gentle, and patient (Col 3:12). See the world through the eyes of God to bring honor and glory to God as He intends.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. He came as the Lamb of God to take away our sins. Through His blood we are sanctified, and we are given a new source of life that will fill up within us. Help us to submit completely unto your will and preserve us blameless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thought for the Day
“If God sent His only begotten Son to restore the relationship with mankind through the atoning sacrifice, what is holding us back from reconciling with fellow human beings?
Dr. Mince John
St. Peter’s Mar Thoma Church
Township of Washington, NJ
St. Peter’s Mar Thoma Church
Township of Washington, NJ