Holiness and Sanctification- Part 7

FAITH IN JESUS AS SANCTIFIER AND HIS OTHER OFFICES

The Bible declares, “But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God - and righteousness andsanctification and redemption.” (1 Corinthians 10:30)

Jesus is both our sanctifier and our sanctification. It is important to keep our eyes on Jesus (Hebrews 12:2). We can see Him in the Word revealed to us as the one “who is able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them.” (Hebrews 7:25). Since salvation is for the mind as well as the spirit, we know that Jesus is able to save us from bad thinking.

The more we see Jesus the more we will be like Him (1 John 3:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18). If we can know Him, receive Him and trust Him more and more as Lord, as Governor, as Healer, Deliverer, as God, as Shepherd, as Righteousness, as Victory and in all His other offices and roles which He has towards us, then our sanctification and victory over sin will be so much stronger. The Holy Spirit would like to reveal Jesus more to us. That is one reason for which He was sent to us. (Acts 2:25; John 14:21-23; John 16:14).

DELIVERANCE AND EMOTIONAL HEALING AS STEPS IN SANCTIFICATION

“Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23,24)

We see in this passage that God is able and willing to sanctify us completely - spirit, soul and body.

At the new birth, we receive a new spirit - there is a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). This spirit is born of God and does not sin (1 John 3:9). However, we are exhorted in many places to be renewed in the spirit of our minds (Ephesians 4:22-24). Our mind, will and emotions are involved in an ongoing process of cleansing and sanctification.

The evil spirits which were at work in our minds and emotions are not necessarily all driven out at the point in time when we receive a new spirit. The wounds of the past are not all dealt with in an instant. It is necessary for us to co-operate with the Holy Spirit as we grow in the Lord and allow Him to heal our damaged souls, to renew our minds with His truth, and to drive out every spiritual power which resists the love and truth of God.

We have seen in lesson 13 that many Christians need deliverance from evil spirits. Driving them out of our minds and bodies is necessary, just as it was necessary for Joshua and the people of Israel to drive out the giants and heathen nations in the land of Canaan which had already been given to them by God’s promise. In the same way, we must drive out the enemies that have marred and damaged our souls before (or maybe even after) we turned to the Lord.

Driving out demons is not enough. If enemies enter your house and do damage there, it is not enough to drive them out. The damage they did while there must be repaired. In the same way, after driving out demons, the soul or body may still need healing.

The most powerful healing force is the love of God. Emotional healing or "inner healing" is basically believing in and receiving the love of God in our souls. This love can be received as we forgive those who wounded us. If we do not forgive men their trespasses against us, neither will our Father forgive us. It is therefore absolutely vital to forgive others - even when they don’t ask for forgiveness.

Sometimes a Christian is deceived regarding the guidance of God. When this leads to disappointment, we need to recognise and trust that God is faithful, but we have been deceived. We must be willing to forgive ourselves, because God is willing to forgive us also if we confess it. We must renounce any bitterness towards God for the disappointments we have experienced. God is not to blame. He is faithful and just. Rather, deception entered because of our pride and foolishness.

Renouncing bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness is at the heart of all inner healing. As we then wait in a trusting attitude before God, looking to Him, He will come and pour His healing love into our soul. He will plant seeds of hope in us, and give us a fresh motivation for life. All this is very important for people.

There is a wonderful promise for us in the book of Joel. “So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, my great army which I sent among you.” (Joel 3:25).

If we have been unforgiving, God sends judgment against us (Matthews 18:35). But when we forgive others and humble ourselves before the Lord he will restore to us what the devil took. He will cause our lives to be beautiful testimonies of His grace and mercy.

Remain blessed