1Peter 1:1-2 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect, strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.
Sanctification – now that is a Big old word; one I as a kid heard a lot but never really understood. Maybe to be “sanctified” was to become like Mrs Watts, who was about 100 years old and attend our church at 88 Lockwood Road Burnside every Sunday and prayed a lot about sanctification. I thought it meant to become something like her and I didn’t want to really become like her. But the problem with big words is that they lose their very simple and transformative meaning by having too many letters – like supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
According to Baker's Dictionary of Biblical Theology, the generic meaning of sanctification is "the state of proper functioning." To sanctify someone or something is to set that person or thing apart for the use intended by its designer. A pen is "sanctified" when used to write. Eyeglasses are "sanctified" when used to improve sight. In the theological sense, things are sanctified when they are used for the purpose God intends. A human being is sanctified, therefore, when he or she lives according to God's design and purpose. When an item or object is used for a purpose other than which it was intended, then it is described as “profane” – another seemingly complicated word. But again, when we get to the meaning behind it, we understand it.
Profane - verb: to treat (something sacred) with abuse, irreverence, or contempt : to desecrate or cheapen. Many things including human beings are used for things they were never intended. Playdough was invented in the 1930s and was intended to be the best wallpaper cleaner around. This didn't happen, of course, and 20 years later the inventor's son remarketed the product for kindergartners. Now we can’t get it out of carpets and off walls! Playdough has been profaned! But even though outside of life with God, people cheapen or desecrate their humanity and others, this does not change their worth or value in God’s sight. A $100 note being used to wipe your butt is still a $100 note with the same value – it is just being profaned rather than sanctified.
So because you have been chosen by God through the work of Jesus and received freedom from “profanity” and death through the sprinkling of his blood (Old Testament image of sacrifice ritual when blood was sprinkled on people and items to cleanse them – only ever temporary), you can now live for the purpose we were created for by our creator God. You are “sanctified” by being returned to your proper state of functioning! Jesus says; I know you and love you and you have value and worth in my eyes – come apprentice to me and re-discover your life. No shame, no guilt, no pretending, no cultural Christian rubbish. Just you and me – born again, free to be.
So am I sanctified? Now that I understand it I can say I am; but it is an ongoing process thanks be to God. My prayer is that you are too.
Grace and Peace - Garry