November 8

But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30.

I wish to focus on the word sanctification. It involves separation unto God. We are truly set apart for His purposes. From God’s viewpoint we are set apart into Christ, therefore the setting apart is already accomplished. He sees us clothed in Christ. From His viewpoint the work is finished.

From our viewpoint we know we are a new creation, yet we may spend too much energy trying to deal with the old nature in Adam. From God’s viewpoint it has been rendered powerless at the cross (Romans 6:6), but we all too often forget this or do not accept this by faith. So, from our perspective, we tend to say that we are being sanctified, that is, we say we are ‘growing in grace’. We say that we are gradually going through the process of becoming more like Christ. While I admit that I have often followed this practice of focusing on this ‘battle’ of the two natures, I often wonder if I have not missed the whole point of what God is saying.

Everything I need is in Christ. There is no need for anything else or anyone else. As the Scripture says, He is our wisdom, our righteousness, our sanctification, and our redemption. My deepest hunger is for me to count all of this as being true, not in degrees of improvement, but in total completion. If I continually recognize and give allowance for the old nature am I not living a defeated life? I truly want no more of this strange behavior.

Father, let me settle in my mind and in my heart that You have completed Your work in me. You have given me Christ, and I can ask for no more. Convict me and fill me with Your desires. Let us walk together today in the full realization of Your sanctifying truth. Amen.
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