Sanctification is defined in more than one way: in Old Testament it means to make sacred; consecrate. In the New Testament it is described as a transformation and purification, a process in which we become more Christ-like. When we get saved, most of us are or have been taught that the “fruits of the spirit” are automatic or that a water baptism “washes away our sins.” The answer to becoming more like Christ is found in 2 Corinthians 7:1–” Therefore, having these promises, beloved, lets us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” This Scripture was written NOT to condemn but to correct. The “fear” of God is deep admiration, obedience, and reverence and we should all be as Doulos servants to Abba Father. As we draw nearer to Him through worship and strengthening our relationship through daily consumption of the Living Word, we grow. We are seeds planted in fertile soil that must first die before we can flourish. We die to ourselves and are strengthened in our relationship in Christ. When then grow into trees that will bear “the fruits of the spirit” as told in Galatians 5:22-23–” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. Against such there is no law.”
We do not automatically grow these fruits upon receiving the Holy Spirit. We must be watered with Living Water and get our nutrients from the Living Word; the Holy Bible is our “daily bread” and our spiritual food we need to mature as Christians. We must “practice what we preach” and we must “walk the talk” as according to Galatians 5:25–” If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” To walk in the Spirit, we must understand these stages:
- The Beginning – When we are born again as told in 2 Corinthians 5:17–” Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” This also means that we should have an aversion to sin and no longer desire to “willfully sin.”
- The Progression – Throughout our lives as believers, we start off with the milk (Bible verses on our mirror and daily devotionals) but as we draw nearer to Yahweh, we become meat eaters and devour the Word daily, hungry for more wisdom and discerning the Scripture and meaning. We dig deeper, and learn about our spiritual gifts, and how to strengthen and use them. John 6:35 gives us this assurance–” And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” We must first sacrifice our own selfish desires to match our will to His, but He will never let it be in vain. When we start living for God, we may notice that we no longer like what we used to, we may lose friends, we may have family members turn away from us, and we will feel convicted of things we did not think on before. Understand that this “pruning” is to cut off thorns that would hinder our spiritual growth. We are to know what poisons us and what is the nutrition through discernment. It is through obedience to Elohim that we activate our “gifts.” The world will know us by “our fruits.” WE must practice these gifts to strengthen them lest our strengths become our weaknesses.
- The Transformation is NEVER Complete on Earth but is in Heaven – Because of our humanity, we have a sinful nature with our sinful flesh. Even if we no longer choose to “willfully sin,” we still may stumble, for even worry is a sin. In Ephesians 2:19-20 we are told–” Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.” Jesus is also the capstone (the final piece that holds the structure together) of the Church. The Church is the “Body of Christ.”
Michelle Warr
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