Where are all the sanctified people?

In my last blog, I touched on the idea of sanctification and whose responsibility it is for our own personal sanctification.

Ultimately I believe our personal sanctification is dependent on the work of three different entities: the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and us.

So then, where are all the sanctified people? Where are all the holy people set apart by God to do His work? Where are all the people in close, personal relationships with Jesus that live their lives in a way that exemplifies His character?

There are some people who live sanctified lives. Billy Graham is a good example. He lives in a close personal relationship with Jesus and consistently acts according to the Word of God.

But what about the scores of people who aren’t living righteous lives? What about the preacher’s wife who has an affair with a deacon? Or the Sunday school teacher who cheats on her taxes? And what about the worship pastor who secretly purchases pornography?

First of all, I must say none of us are not finished products. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God. Just because we make mistakes doesn’t mean we automatically fail at being Christians. Jesus died for us because He knew we were going to mess up. Even Billy Graham sins and needs Jesus’s grace and mercy to wash him clean.

Our mortality is what keeps us from living sanctified lives. The Holy Spirit and the Word of God are immortal and are holding up their end of the bargain. We are the cause of our own unrighteousness.

How then are mortals like Billy Graham who have the same fallen nature we have living sanctified lives? They do it by turning their eyes constantly toward Jesus.

Being sanctified doesn’t mean being perfect. Perfection is impossible for humans. Being sanctified means living in a close, personal relationship with Jesus and being holy because of His blood. Yes, we will sin. Yes, we will fall short. But if we consistently turn to Jesus, He will lift us out of our sin and into holy harmony with Him.