Before the VowSample

The Sanctification Process

There is a song by Maverick City Music called, “Refiner”...

The lyrics state, “I want to be tried by fire, purified. You take whatever you desire. Lord, here's my life.” That song holds a special place in my life because of the focus on sanctification – the process of being refined from a flesh-led life to a Spirit-led life where we submit to being transformed into His likeness for His glory.

We enter the sanctification process when we commit our lives to God through Jesus Christ, which is ongoing through completion in eternity. Sanctification begins after new birth; when new life in Jesus Christ begins.

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come..."

We are then moved into a process of sanctification that is completed in eternity. When we invite the Lord into our lives, we also invite Him to sanctify us; clean us up, and develop in us what we need to live a life of holiness.

Sanctification, holiness, and purity does NOT mean we are perfect. We are perfectly imperfect. However, with God's help, we are encouraged to live a life that pleases God. John Wesley, Founder of Methodism, reasoned that with God's help, "we are on our way to perfection," which perfection is achieved in the fulfillment of eternity (between birth and death).

I believe that when we are called to marriage, we are called to a covenant agreement with our partner through Christ. We are aiming to develop a marriage that is pleasing and honoring to God. But, to be in a position for that, we must first go through an individual refining process leading to perfection in Christ. By doing that, we will develop a heart posture and mindset focused on Christ. We desire wholeness with Christ before we join in union with another person.

Throughout my engagement, I have seen the ways the Lord has been sanctifying me. He has taught me to change my thought process. I view discourse and disagreements as room for growth. He has taught me to let go of silly, childish ways, and mature my mindset. I am learning to love my future spouse fully and forgive him completely in times of challenge.

Loving one another the way that God loves is a selfless act of the heart. Through the lifelong sanctification process, I can die to myself each day to honor God with my life and with the marriage I have been blessed to have. In Esther’s story, we see a woman who embodied a selfless heart, which God was able to trust and use for His glory.