Jesus - our sanctification!

   Christ Jesus, who became to us... sanctification. Cor. 1:30

   It is many different views of what sanctification is in the Christian camp, and also on what causes it. You can see that on the many contributions in Christian papers, and one meets it everywhere out in the congregations.
   When it is such a serious matter to go wrong in this, it is also so important for us, that we get a right, biblical simple understanding of what this is all about.
   It was exactly here for instance the Galatian congregation was led astray. It was true and right what Paul had preached about the salvation in Jesus - the Judaists whom came in to the congregation said - but it was not all! - Now you shall hear what Paul failed to preach. And then they came with something in addition.
   Likewise, we also meet much of the so-called sanctificationpreaching - as it is said: «One goes to Golgotha (the Gospel) to be saved, and then one goes to Sinai (the Law) to be sanctified.»
   This is something that has followed/persecuted the Gospel from the days of Cain and Abel - iy has not been permitted to stand alone, but one has wished to add something to it, something more than what God has done (for us) in Jesus Christ, something that leaves more honor to us too.
   The lutheran understanding of the sanctification has always been, that it is something that is caused by the Gospel alone, with those who has fled from «the thundercloud of the Law!»
   It is therefore talk about fruits that only can grow i the soil that is called: The blood of Jesus Christ poured out for us!
   The Scripture preaches straight out about Jesus, that He has «became to us... sanctification!» (1 Cor. 1:30). It is in other words a gift given unto us freely in Jesus Christ.
   Jesus says further in John 15:4-5: «Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. "I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.»
   For a believer to strive for sanctification is accordingly nothing else than to strive after being preserved in Jesus, in the Gospel! To «flee to Jesus with our sin,» as «the old ones» called it. Because in Him we are sanctified!

E.K.

Holy Bible New American Standard Version
Translator: E.K.