Sanctification Happens

For years I lived and believed that the process of sanctification was mostly about the cessation of wrong doing on my part.  And that may be partially true.  But over the course of time I've come to understand that my sanctification has little to do with my will power to cease wrong behavior, and everything to do with me living in God’s truth.

For if and when I use my will to curtail wrong behavior, I am not being sanctified, I’m only seeking to justify myself before God – and most often before man.  And likely I’ll repeat the offense over and over, each time trying harder and harder to break the cycle.  Can anyone say hamster wheel?

If indeed personal sanctification were all about will power and self-discipline to cease wrong behavior, why did Jesus need to be sanctified?  “For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.” (John 17:19)

May I propose this thought?  Albeit I will participate in the process of sanctification, it is not about the cessation of wrong doing, given over to right doing, that sanctifies me, but it is first and foremost about submitting to the truth of God.

^“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” (John 17:17)

If I am willing to submit myself to all of God’s truth, via His Word and His Spirit, I can rest in knowledge that the power of His truth will change me from the inside out.  And that has nothing to do with my outward displays of right or wrong behavior, but everything to do with an ongoing and ever increasing relationship with a Living Savior.

Sanctification happens from the inside out, and never the other way around (Daniel 11:35).