SANCTIFICATION (1)

My family and I would like to express our fond thanks to everyone who has been so kind to us and our extended family these last few weeks. I think that the ten days that ended a week ago Saturday was the longest week I have ever known. Even in the midst of sadness at having lost my father, the glories of Christ were allowed to shine through it all The fact that about seven hundred people took time out of their busy schedules to call, drop by and share their remembrances tells us more about the reflected glory of our God and King than any other experience I have known. The evangelical pastor who preached the funeral did indeed remind people that it was faith that made my father's life possible. And therein is the lesson that people within the Church need to learn full well, so that once again the Church may speak in the Father's Name and call people to Jesus Christ by their deeds, and by their words.

Did you hear those two words echoed from our Scripture passage earlier? "Deeds & Words" One of the problems today is that deeds are emphasized more so than words. In fact much of the liberal establishment which imagines itself a Church, is focused on a Jonathan Livingston Seagull mentality that imagines Christ as only a human who discovered the "godness" within himself. In that sense, all of those humans who attract the attention of the worldly by their living faith, are viewed as somehow attaining that "godness" in and through themselves.

But Paul is clear in his teaching to the Thessalonians, where he insists that the sanctification we have began before time, comes into our lives by faith and is the proof of the Spirit's presence in us! Of course worldly pagans have always been able to demonstrate a godly life lived above the worst temptations around them. However, since they know not Christ, their lives count for nothing. I remember an argument I once had about the annual United Fund Shakedown Campaign, wherein many employers feel they have the right to insist that people should tax themselves for worthy causes supported by the politically correct social agencies! I pointed out as I have for years, that the Lordship of Christ in motivating our giving as well as the agencies being under His Lordship are more important than the six or seven figure totals that are demanded and exacted by every means possible!

Unfortunately some churches copy that secular means to encourage godliness. By this I mean their members are squeezed into little behavioral boxes much as the generation of Jews in the time of Christ. Do this, don't do that and you will become Holy.

I understand that it is more difficult to engage spiritual growth without any direct suggestions, but I implore you to be more interested in developing the fruits of the Spirit as God enables you. If you study the Word daily, it begins to become a part of your life and in so believing and doing the Word, you may better reflect the greater glory of our Father in heaven instead of proudly asserting your own accomplishments of holiness. A Bible Study or Sunday School class where people can ask what a passage mean and others explain how they personally try to live it is much better than a top down attitude of cookie cutter holiness.

I can remember a few people from the fifties who were put off with the United Presbyterian Church in North America's stance on abstinence of all alcoholic products. Perhaps they needed to grow in that area, perhaps not? Extreme abusers of chemicals and substances may certainly be accosted by their family and friends. I remember one person who had such a problem and the whole neighborhood ganged up on him. So he ran away from home. It so happened that I met him again in the context of this ministry here in Columbus. We talked several times and I passed along a few key pamphlets. Since I had not participated in the neighborhood confrontation, I was still able to minister to him and affirm quietly what everyone else had shunned him for! As far as I know, he is healed enough to have a job and a new life. I hope he eventually goes on to settle his spiritual account with the Lord of heaven because even as the original founders of Alcoholics Anonymous knew, only in the sanctifying strength of the Lord is there a real cure for life's annoying habits and vices.

And until people come to the Lord and acknowledge their real and heartfelt need of Jesus Christ as Savior, there is no hope in this life or in the next. And therein lies a final observation on the doctrine of sanctification this morning. That is in our preparation for eternal life. Or at the very least, sanctification should show us that as long as we live a life on earth, we may not prosper spiritually as much as we may want. At long last, having run the race, having fought the fight and knowing that there lies beyond the shadow of death a better place, a place prepared for us by our Father, we can be content in going on to be with Christ. Paul himself said it so well in several places, that while he yearned to be with Christ, he was content to remain a little longer to do Christ's work on earth. If by sanctification we have learned the proper focus that we are here to do the Lord's work until He comes or until we go to Him, then we have learned well.