Sanctification

In sanctification, Christ’s righteousness is imparted: by the power of the Spirit, the converted sinner becomes more like Christ. The sinner is transformed in every area of his or her life: inward and outward, heart and action, relationships and purpose.

Sanctification

Think back to when you first believed. Try and remember where and when you became aware of Jesus and you invited Him to be your Lord and Savior.

Now, try to place that experience in the context of a church service. When you came to Christ was there public singing? Scripture reading? Someone talking seemingly without stopping? Was the room empty? Crowded? Was everyone dressed in suits/ties/dresses? Of course there was organ music in the background…or was there?

My guess is some of you first met Jesus one on one in a church setting. I didn’t. I met Jesus one on one in the living room of my home…with my pastor and parents in the room with me. No organ. No piano. No suits and ties. No long-winded sermons. No public scripture readings. Hmm. So, how does what happened in my living room at 6 or 7 years of age translate into what goes on when we gather Sunday after Sunday? We talk about following Jesus. We sing about following Jesus. We listen to Scripture about following Jesus – or other topics.

Most of our Christian life is not lived in the walls of this building. More than likely we don’t have organ and piano music accompanying us as we work, shop, run errands, and so on.