With thanks to Mark R for this message
In Ephesians 5:25, Paul calls husbands to love their wives ‘as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to make her holy…’
Today we’re reflecting on that theme under the title: Sanctified by the Lord Jesus Christ.
This isn’t just a message to husbands, but to all those who have put their faith and trust in Jesus. We are being sanctified by Jesus.
What does the word ‘sanctified’ mean?
It comes from the same root as the word ‘holy’, but whereas only God is holy, any holiness we have derives from Him. That is the idea behind the word sanctification.
When we put our faith in Jesus (Who alone is holy), He makes us righteous and we are sanctified.
As Stephen Clark in his book ‘In Christ alone’ helpfully says: “Our sanctification is only and ever a derivative and dependent on God-graced holiness, never complete in this life, resting on union with Christ”
This helps us to move away from seeing sanctification as being based on our performance, and takes us back to our union with Christ, which is the motivation for us to grow in grace.
We now live in a new Kingdom under Christ, and we are called to mirror His life and show the fruits of His Spirit working in us.
That is the challenge for husbands in Ephesians 5:25 as it is for all believers.
Begin each day by reminding ourselves of the wonder of Christ’s love for us, His grace, His mercy.
I’m reminded of a quote I once heard: “I go to bed a Christian and wake up an atheist” I’m not sure how theologically correct that is (!!), but that it can feel like that because of the battle between the flesh and the Spirit who lives in us.
That’s why it’s so important to remind ourselves each day of WHOSE we are, and to fix our eyes on Jesus. It is through Him that we are are sanctified, as we keep coming back to the Cross and remind ourselves of His great love.
I heard a song recently with these lyrics: “I am Your beloved, You have bought me with Your blood, and on Your hand You’ve written out my name”
