We know what sanctification is, it’s Christ. And, again, we go back to 2 Corinthians 3:18. As you look at Him and see His glory, you know exactly how to walk. Walk in love to God. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength like He did; that’s the goal. Obey the Lord in everything: everything you do, everything you say, everything you think. Be pleasing to Him.
Yes, He is your righteousness in that you are covered by His holiness in your justification. But He is also your example of righteousness, a pattern to be followed in your practice and in your sanctification. So He not only prays for our purity, but He knows it’s tough, because we have remaining flesh, we’re living in a hostile world, the evil one after us; and He prays us into the only means by which this sanctification can take place, and that is being immersed in the divine Word of God, the Scripture.
As you study the Scripture, as the Scripture, to borrow Paul’s words, “dwells in you richly,” you will be walking in the Spirit, and you will be walking the way Christ walked. You will know the Scripture, believe the Scripture, love the Scripture; and that’s the path to Christlikeness. What an amazing statement for our Lord to make: “I sanctify Myself for their sakes.” Positionally by imputing His life to us; practically by providing an example for us. In the one, we are justified; in the second, we are being sanctified. |