When people discover you are a follower of Christ, they often ask, “What difference does being a Christian make?” A comprehensive answer involves discussing what it means to be saved and the impact of a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Specifically, we can explore God’s sanctifying work in a believer’s life.
Sanctification is not just a theological concept but a deeply personal experience. It is the act and process of being set apart for God’s use by His power. It is the work of the Holy Spirit, enabling each of us, as believers, to manifest the character and do the work of a child of God. In simpler terms, sanctification is the process of each of us becoming more like Christ in our conduct and character through the Holy Spirit’s inner workings.
When we enter into a personal relationship with God, He doesn’t just clean us up on the surface. It’s not like taking a shower after a muddy activity. God’s work is far more profound. He cleans us from the inside out, transforming us into new creations and working towards our inner transformation, not just modifying our behavior. This is the power of sanctification.
John 15:1-11 provides a vivid illustration of God’s work in believers. Jesus uses the metaphor of the vine and branches to depict the relationship between believers and Himself. He is the true vine, and God the Father is the gardener. We, as branches, must remain in Christ to bear fruit. This passage highlights two types of branches: those that do not bear fruit and are cut off and those that bear fruit and are pruned to be even more fruitful. Pruning, or cleansing, is God’s way of making us more like Christ, often through His Word. It’s a process that may seem painful, but it’s necessary for our spiritual growth.
Michelangelo’s response to a man questioning his sculpting—a declaration that he was releasing an angel imprisoned in the marble—mirrors God’s work in us. God sees and releases the potential within us, chiseling away to reveal the person He created us to be. He sees not only what we are but also what we can become. When Jesus called Peter, He saw not just a fisherman but someone with the potential to become a fisher of men and a builder of His church. William Barclay’s commentary on John encapsulates this: “Jesus declares, give your life to me, and I will make you what you have in you to be.”
John 15:1-11 illustrates this transformation, emphasizing two critical decisions: entering into a saving relationship with Jesus (salvation) and abiding in Christ’s love to become more like Him (sanctification). Many Christians view their faith as mere behavior modification, akin to taking a shower to become presentable. However, God’s goal is a complete transformation—a new identity and perspective made possible through the Holy Spirit.
The Christian life is more than behavior modification; it’s a complete cleansing and transformation. As believers, we are called to remain in Christ, empowered by His loving pruning and leading, to become more like Him. If you still need to, accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior today. If you have, reaffirm your commitment to abide in His love and become more like Him daily. This message is one of freedom, for as John 15:11 says, in this, “God’s joy may be in us and be complete.” Soli Deo Gloria (Glory to God Alone)!