Sanctification and spiritual growth is about…
- a journey...
- allowing God to invade one’s life...
- a continued openness to His Lordship
If a person outside the church, one unfamiliar with the Christian faith listened carefully to those appealing to church-people to repent, give-up u-v-and-w, commit more to x-y- and-z, or turn from such and such behavior toward another most desired by church-leadership behavior, I wonder what that listening outsider would think the deeper, more obedient Christian life looks like? Rather than be specific here, I’d guarantee that the deeper, more sanctified life would consist (to the outsider) of certain private behaviors conforming to the likes and dislikes, the comfort levels, and the expectations of church leadership. Not all of this is bad—don’t misunderstand me. We have lots to change to be more real and better followers of Jesus. However, I would venture to say that the outside person would also see that such sanctification is measured by how much the (newly or more) “sanctified” person has submitted to Jesus which consists of how much is given to the church, how much more time is spent on church calendar events and activities, how many more church-centered activities are volunteered for, and by how much more time they’ve committed to prayer. (I’d have included Bible reading and personal Bible Study, but these seem a dying activity, nor encouraged that much among Christians toaday—heaven forbid the people in the pew discover meanings, even the true meanings of the texts of Scripture, that would put them at odds with the leaders of the church!) I even betcha that some outsiders would say that the appeal to sanctification within these limits and expectations is also a way of exercising power over people—the people in their congregations. (Sanctification as management—what a concept!) Not to unleash them, but to round up volunteers. And finally, this appeal to sanctification within these limits and expectations helps everyone to look and act the same—I guess it is easier to shepherd if all the sheep behave and move in the same direction and enjoy watering and grazing in the same field and same place.
Now, of course I am being somewhat sarcastic and maybe even stretching the good intentions of those who want others to grow in Christ, but I am still somewhat serious. Remember, although this reflection is about sanctification, it is really about why we want “others” sanctified and how we get “them” that way. Is it a point in time, or a journey with many advances and setbacks and learning experienced, etc.?
Now I’d like to turn my attention to, “What does a sanctified life look like?” Or “How do we know it when someone is sanctified, filled, baptized in the Spirit, or has moved forward in their Christian growth?” Up-front, there is no argument that a wholesome, good lifestyle is a result of sanctification, but I’d say that its both not a beginning nor an end. Of course there will be things harmful to us and sinful in nature in and of themselves that need to be dumped as a result of the sanctified life. But this is only the small portion of the Christ-like life. And maybe even a distraction from a real biblical sanctified life. (And that’s another point: sanctified first or dumped behaviors first? If dumped is first, that seems that its our effort that brings the second, more works centered. That’s why I believe that the Bible calls us through the Spirit and our imagination into the grace and life God has for us as gift, not works.)
In fact if one simply needs to highlight the instructions, illustrations, teachings, emphases, and applications called for in the preaching of Jesus and it would be noticed that good behavior is even hardly mentioned. There is more calls to righteousness (which means right relationships with all those around us) and justice (which means applying righteousness publicly) and to care for the least and weakest among us. This is why I believe that sustainable sanctification must be related to our openness to the Lordship of Christ. And, the Lordship of Christ is something that is not just for the private life, but for our public square life.
Imagine someone explaining that they had a major breakthrough in their Christian life and it resulted in giving more to the poor, or helping immigrants to learn English and get a job, or help men and women with addictions to overcome them for their sake and the sake of their families. Imagine. More so, we’d rather know if they’ve given up porn, or swearing, or smokes, or sleeping in, and certain uncomfortable emotions.
The point in time sanctification method not only truncates the work of the Spirit into one neat package—one moment—it also diminishes and limits the outcomes. How can someone grow in their walk with Christ if they will need to replenish, re-inject, and re-experience that Christian high or Christian event that got them to that point of surrender? They will be too busy looking for that high again and again. Plus, I’d even further suggest such methods of getting Christians sanctified will make them more self-centered, not less. And there goes righteousness right out the window.
As mature Christians we should constantly help others understand what the Lordship of Christ is and over what spheres of life it reigns (ought to reign), and then how to continually be open to that Lordship.
Next…over what is Jesus to be Lord and being open to it…
Posted by Chip Anderson at 06:13 AM. Filed under: In the Margins • Discipleship • Spiritual growth •
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