Sanctification.

One of the things I will keep thanking God for is knowing Him and helping me to walk with Him from a young age.

The reality remains with those who start walking consistently with God early in life will go very far and that’s an advantage over those who come in later.

Amongst many others, Daddy Enoch Adejare Adeboye of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God is an icon example for me; he started his ministry consistently despite his academic profession (being a lecturer), bore his yoke in his youthful age and was able to touch the mark of all-round excellence till present.

However, this did not happen by chance. Part of the portion and inheritance of God’s Beloved is Sanctification.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV)

Coming closer to God (through prayer, study of the Word and fellowship) began to cultivate in me a new heart of humility that easily submits to whatever the Holy Spirit wants, even if I don’t like it at the moment. I became gradually vulnerable to God. I don’t enjoy doing anything that will hurt Him. This perspective has helped me culture my thoughts, words and actions.

Some of the basic lessons God taught me was to be watchful of the words I uttered. Those whose mouth will draw Divinity must not speak what God will not say. Yes, I can play and joke around but you’ll barely hear me use a foul language – even if I do so mistakenly the Spirit will convict me until I retract it.

I learnt that there are times to talk (wisely) and there are times you keep quiet, even in the face of provocations or even when you’re right. It’s certain that people will provoke you, but it is not every battle of words you must win. No man or woman will go far with God if he or she says everything and anything they like.

There were words I could utter before as an unbeliever, but not again. There were things I could do before, but not again. There are thoughts that comes but I fight them back (with the Word of God not my own words), and these changes in behaviour and perspectives are the result of sanctification.

A byproduct of sanctification is that “Deeper encounters” begins to occur. God begins to build the Believer’s character gradually till the believer becomes sacred.

But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

2 Thessalonians 2:13 (KJV)

Sanctification is very crucial in our spiritual growth, therefore don’t get tired, and don’t quench the Spirit. As long as we are doing the things God has commanded us to, we will find ourselves becoming who He wants us to be and doing what He wants is to do in His Kingdom.

This process of sanctification has continued so far and will not stop, because it makes us walk into the perfection of sacredness, in ways that are pleasing to God.