Cling to Christ for Sanctification

"...In [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge... For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily, and you are complete in Him..." -Colossians 2:3, 9-10

As I stepped down from the pulpit this past Wednesday after preaching the sixth sermon of a series through the book of Colossians entitled "Christ Our Sanctification," I was met by a dear sister in Christ who wanted to speak to me. Her eyes filled with tears as she shared with me that the teaching she'd received about sanctification for most of her Christian life has been works-based, man-centered externalism. She was not taught to rest by faith in Christ unto sanctification, although that is how she was taught to receive Him for salvation.

"As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." -Colossians 2:6-7

She was deeply moved with both sorrow and joy as we talked about abiding in Christ to bear spiritual fruit (John 15:5) and how God produces sanctification in us through faith in the Gospel of His Son. She sorrowed that she hadn't seen the Gospel as full provision for her sanctification sooner. She rejoiced because God was setting her free to truly find continued rest in Christ.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." -Matthew 11:28-30

I pray that this biblical truth will prove liberating for many more Christians, as it certainly has for me.