Sanctified, Private and Public

“I am the Lord. They shall therefore keep my charge, lest they bear sin for it and die thereby when they profane it: I am the Lord who sanctifies them...

“You shall not offer anything that has a blemish, for it will not be acceptable for you… And when you sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to the Lord, you shall sacrifice it so that you may be accepted… So you shall keep my commandments and do them: I am the Lord. And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you,  who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord.” Leviticus 22:8c-9,20,29,31-33

“Those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.  And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.” Romans 8:29-30

It takes a loving work of a grace-filled God to sanctify His creatures. His Spirit kneads and molds, we cooperate. He who is set apart as wholly ‘other’ beyond the heavens calls us to be set apart here below. Throughout our lives as those in Christ, the Holy God makes us holy and fits us for heaven. (2 Corinthians 6:16-7:1; 1 Peter 1:1-2)

As He works His character into us privately, He gives opportunity for us to live it out publicly. He fills us with His Spirit, then puts us in places and with people where we can express His thoughts and countenance and lift high His name in work, relationships, service, and speech. Our personal mortification of the flesh and former godless habits expresses itself in righteous, life-giving conduct. And all the while, our Redeemer Jesus is praying that this be so in the world! (John 17:17; 1 Timothy 4:12)

In the past year, what changes has the Holy Spirit made in the way we think, react, behave? What changes would we like Him to make, and are we cooperating with His conviction and correction? Have we grown lazy, or do we regularly avail ourselves of His means of grace that make a difference in us? What are some areas where we need His powerful transformation in order to be more like Jesus?

As I grow up in Christ, how am I sanctifying the Lord God among His people? In my culture, where and how am I emanating the light of the gospel truth through words, acts of service, refusals, or taking a stand? In what specific ways can I stand apart from its push and pull of entertainment, language, humor, divisiveness, and vitriol? (Exodus 20:7; Ephesians 6:12-13; Philippians 2:14-15)

“Let me come closer to Thee, Jesus,
Oh, closer day by day;
Let me lean harder on Thee, Jesus,
Yes, harder all the way.

Let me show forth Thy beauty, Jesus,
Like sunshine on the hills!
Oh, let my lips pour forth Thy sweetness
In joyous, sparkling rills!

In all my heart and will, O Jesus,
Be altogether King!
Keep me and use me daily, Jesus,
For Thee, for only Thee.” ~J. L. Lync (19th c)

Holy God, sanctify me by truth and Spirit, that my whole spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless in anticipation of seeing Jesus. (1 Thessalonians 5:23; 1 John 3:2-3)