Sanctified Life

Perhaps the most rigorous aspect of a Christians life is growing in holiness. Becoming holy is the work of sanctification which can also be described as becoming like Jesus, becoming godly, becoming virtuous. Perhaps you are surprised when I say it is the most rigorous part?

Why use the illustration of a house? Because a house is where you live life! And God has a way of life out of which we live, if we build the house his way it will be well built and have a firm foundation on which to rest.

Sanctification is like building a house with God. God supplies all the building materials, he purchases them. We don’t buy or pay God back for the materials, we simply accept them as a gift. [At this point I think I would like to go a different route with the illustration, that verse 3 pertains to this idea as well. {This is what we know as justification.}] But a house is not built by simply buying materials, at this point it only has the potential to be what the blueprint said it could always be, a house. God has etched eternity into our hearts (Eccl.) and that is the divine blueprint that .that we begin to build off of. Indeed, building has already taken place. So God does two things. 1) He purchases the house (you were bought with a price: this is justification) 2) He purchased the materials we need. This is what it means when it says, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness.” Everything you need to live a life of godliness has been supplied to you by God! He has even hired a carpenter, the Holy Spirit, who helps build the house.

But one does not merely sit back and let God do all the work, even the Holy Spirit, who is our carpenter, does not do all the work. We work alongside them in the process. We level, sand, nail, screw, saw, sweat, and work right alongside God. But you are not only building so you can live in it, but so that it is hospitable to God and others around us. Think of a house that isn’t very hospitable, that it has holes in the floor, a leaky roof, the appliances don’t work, the pipes are rusty, the a/c is out, would it be a very hospitable place?

God’s Part

The first thing you see is that you are a recipient, that God’s divine power has been given and it has been given because it grants you something. The word “grant” is important because God’s work in us gives us access to something every believer is in need of at every moment which is any and every thing that is necessary for life and godliness. It is not whimsical, an afterthought, it is intentionally and officially bestowed upon believers. Meaning every time you are in need of the way of life and godliness you have access to it because of God’s divine power is at work within you.

*How do you have access to this divine power that is useful for life and godliness? “Through a knowledge of Him.” That is the key, that those who have a rich knowledge of God have access to this divine power! Do you have access to that divine power? Do you know Him? You see, that is the key, if a person knows God then there is power, divine power at work in their life. And that divine power is at work to produce life and godliness.

But what does it mean to know God? It is no less than knowing who He is cognitively and coming to know who He is personally. Which is why it says in the next phrase, “who called us to his own glory and virtue (excellence).” Meaning God calls us to know him, and especially to know and reflect his own glory and excellence. So if you want divine power to live a godly life you must know God’s glory and virtue! And not just intellectually, but personally.

glory=showing forth of God’s goodness. When was the first time I personally encountered God’s goodness in my life?

virtue=quality of God’s character

[All things that pertain to life and godliness and God’s precious and very great promises are synonomous and they flow from the glory and virtue of God to which we are called to know and behold.]

Your Part

Faith: Saving Faith, belief, repentance and personal commitment to Jesus as Lord

Virtue: Moral excellence (wise, just, brave, temperate, faithful, hopeful, loving)

Knowledge: Personal knowledge as you walk with Jesus (Jn. 17:3)

Self-control: Mastery of self (Ladies and Gentlemen, who are you? You are kings and queens, for you are to rule yourself.)

Steadfastness: Brave and hopeful certainty that all things are working together for good for those who love God and are called according to his purposes (Rom. 8:28) It is continuing to turn and trust in the Lord despite what temptations and circumstances come at you.

Godliness: Being like God.

Brotherly Affection: Loving brothers/sisters in Christ, a life of involvement and sacrificial cross bearing.

Love: Self-giving for the good of others.

Increasing in these Qualities