The Gift of Choice: Finding Joy in Sanctification

I spent 40 years in the desert. What do I mean by that? Well, I accepted the message of Jesus Christ when I was five years old at summer camp. For decades, I re-dedicated my life to Jesus after initially walking away from a relationship with him. When I regularly attended church, the preacher taught me ways I needed to change my life without giving me the tools to follow the tutoring. I would walk out the church doors, never to return, because I couldn't fix myself on my own. This on-again, off-again life created a very rocky journey, marked by a thousand mistakes and regrets.

Many years later, at forty-five, I dedicated my entire life to God during a Sunday school class. The message of sanctification became a beacon of light in my failed attempts to live the Christian life on my own. Drawn like a moth to a flame, I eagerly repeated a prayer of sanctification with my teacher, but, honestly, the full impact of its meaning was not yet clear.

You are like me; I believe you need to research everything to make a final decision about anything. When it comes to spiritual things, the decision becomes even more challenging to undertake. I spent the next seven days researching sanctification after praying that initial prayer during Sunday school. After an intense 7-day deep dive to figure out what I was getting myself into, I learned that there are four joyful ways sanctification enhances the Gift of Free Choice. I decided I wanted to be sanctified by the Holy Spirit, so I prayed again and then offered my life to God, surrendering to the control of the Holy Spirit.

Before I unpack these joyful ways, check out the meaning of sanctification so that you, too, can make an informed decision.

Defining Sanctification

Sanctification initially occurs through your faith in Jesus, followed by a lifelong process of spiritual transformation. This process includes three parts: initial sanctification, entire sanctification, and glorification. 

~ Part One: Initial Sanctification – Receiving the Gift

You become sanctified at the point of salvation (1 John 1:7, 9). The Christian-ese word for that is justification, just as if I never sinned (justify). By this, you obtain an exchange of past sin for an indwelling of the Holy Spirit where sin once lived. Your previous desires exchange godly thoughts for new actions. Your mind, governed by Holy Spirit, brings life and peace (Romans 8:6). Initial sanctification is the act of God that begins your transformation process into the likeness of Christ.

You cannot reconcile yourself to God on your own. Initial sanctification, provided by the atoning blood of Jesus, repairs the relationship between you and God. Sanctification allows you to receive a heart cleansing of past sins, the gift of the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you, as well as eternal life in heaven. Like many people, you may not be sure that you're a Christian. Take a moment and check out my blogs, Do I Need Jesus? or The Roadmap to Jesus to learn more about a personal relationship with Jesus.

The first part of receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit marks the beginning of your new life. However, it is not the end of living by Holy Spirit's power. The second part requires a second cooperation with Holy Spirit's grace as you grow into the likeness of Jesus.

~ Part Two: Entire Sanctification – Growth in Grace

Entire sanctification begins as a growth process after you choose to allow the Holy Spirit to thoroughly guide your life, just as I did, by devoting yourself to following His voice and leading. What it doesn't do is take away your right to free choice.

Entire sanctification is the second aspect of God's grace. You received the gift of the Holy Spirit at initial sanctification, but now you must use him. Through your second conscious decision you entirely devote yourself to God then spiritual maturity takes place over time (Romans 12:2). You grow in the grace of God as an avenue to accomplish His will by intentionally nurturing spiritual growth, carefully attending to improve in Christlikeness of character and personality (2 Peter 3:18). Christ-like development, otherwise known as spiritual formation, creates in you a new, holy person serving God and man through the power of the Holy Spirit.

It may sound hard, but it's not. The Holy Spirit does all the heavy lifting. Your responsibility rests in using his power by staying connected with him, following his lead, and enjoying the ride.

~ Part Three: Sanctification to Glorification – Claiming the Gift Entirely

When you pass from this life into eternal life, you receive the fullness of Christ.

Entire sanctification continues the perfecting work of the Holy Spirit in your life, culminating in glorification. In Scripture, the concept of glorification refers to the ultimate perfection of believers. Read here for a deeper look at glorification. In glorification, you become fully conformed to the image of the Son. Since no one attains perfection in this life, you claim the gift of complete Christlikeness once you meet Jesus in heaven (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14).

The Joys of Sanctification

~ No Longer Sinning

It's easy to recognize the difference between sins and mistakes, right? Well, not always. However, growth in grace during the process of entire sanctification reveals the difference. Sins are those actions you habitually and rebelliously do against God. In contrast, mistakes are non-rebellious choices you make in your life.  

Once you dedicate your life to God, you are set apart from the trap of sin (Romans 6:11-13). You find yourself avoiding sin and feeling the power of the Holy Spirit leading you to make the right choices.

Sanctification enhances your free will by removing the sinful aspect from your choices.

~ Making Right Choices

When you recognize the Spirit's voice during quiet time and throughout the day, as you stay in a spirit of prayer and follow His lead, you always make the right choices.

Yes! It's true! Your free will doesn't require you to fight against the Spirit, but to work with him. It's only when you decide on your own, or go against the Spirit's suggestion, that trouble starts. You are a strong-willed creature, but joy comes in the experience of trusting God more and more as you receive the exact guidance needed for every situation.

Sanctification adds to your free will by dissolving the snare of sin, allowing you to make better choices (Romans 8:1-4).

~ Hearing the Voice of the Spirit

One of the greatest joys of growth in grace through sanctification is when you hear the voice of the Spirit more clearly, empowering you to make better choices. Your spirit aligns with his when you choose to allow the grace of God to help you become Christ-like. God's Spirit speaks directly to your spirit in ways you could not understand before you received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, or second salvation.

Initial sanctification is sufficient for you to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit through the death of Jesus Christ; Jesus left His Spirit as your guide until He returns. But first, choosing Jesus and receiving the gift is not enough. Receiving the Spirit of Jesus is not an automatic step toward following the Spirit of God.

For example:

You asked for and received the perfect set of headphones for your iPad. You're excited! You've received the one thing that will change how you listen to music. But if you never plug them into the device, the gift is useless.

You hear the voice of the Spirit better when you plug into him through the act of entire sanctification.

Sanctification adds to your free will by clarifying the voice of the Holy Spirit.

~ Carefree Life

Before I prayed a prayer of sanctification, I often felt weighed down by my problems. I made many wrong choices throughout my "desert" experience. It's not as if surrendering my will to the leading and power of the Holy Spirit completely stopped me from missing the right course of action – free will is still a gift that comes with blessings and consequences. However, sanctification took away the anguish I suffered over trying to live life on my own.

You must remember that the Holy Spirit is aware of everything about you. He knows the deepest recesses of your heart. And, he knows the past, present, and future. Allowing Holy Spirit to lead and guide you leaves you feeling carefree, knowing he has your best interest at heart. The Holy Spirit will never lead you in the wrong direction. Life is lighter, easier to handle when problems come along, knowing you've given control to God.

Sanctification enhances your free will by offering freedom from worry and care, fostering a sense of joy and fulfillment in everyday life.

Conclusion

 Three parts to sanctification? Yes – initial (salvation), entire (entirely devoted to God), and glorification (in heaven). Click here to read the definitions of each part.

Unfortunately, many people stop at initial sanctification through the blood of Jesus. They lose out on the discovery of the 4 joyous ways sanctification adds to the gift of free choice: no more sinning, making right choices, hearing the voice of the Holy Spirit, and a carefree life.

Following God comes when you choose to surrender your will, devoting yourself to pursuing God through entire sanctification (Romans 12:1). Through growth in grace, you become more Christ-like until the day of glorification, when you meet Jesus face-to-face.

Are you ready now to find freedom by adding joy to your free will? Below is a short prayer to aid as a guide. Use it to dedicate yourself to following the Gift Jesus left for you. Don't just receive the gift, use it too.

Dear God,

I received the gift of the Holy Spirit when I accepted Jesus, but I've never used his guidance. I want to know You more. I want to hear Your Spirit more clearly. I need the Holy Spirit's presence, power, and leading to make the right choices. I know that only through Your grace can I grow into Christ-likeness. I'm ready. I'm willing to fully submit my life to the direction of the Holy Spirit for the cleansing of my sins, to be set apart for your service, and to follow Him wherever He leads. Thank you for this incredible gift.

Amen