“Wherefore Jesus also that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate” (Hebrews 13:12).
TEXT — Hebrews 13:9-14
The idiom ‘tip of the iceberg’ means the small part of a larger situation or problem that remains hidden. Only a fraction of the whole is visible when an iceberg is floating free in the ocean. Sometimes, less than ten per cent of the iceberg is discernible above the waterline, while the rest is hidden below the surface in the ocean’s depths. Think about that: ninety per cent of the iceberg is invisible. When a sinner turns to God, the attention is often on receiving just like the tip of the iceberg. The larger part of the iceberg, the root of forgiveness for his past sins, which are his sinfulness, also called inbred sin, lies unseen within his heart. But as the erstwhile sinner continues walking with God, he becomes conscious of this sin, longing for its removal. Sanctification is the removal and total destruction of the inner sin (or the body of sin). Today’s passage states that Jesus suffered outside Jerusalem’s gates at Calvary to secure our sanctification. Earlier in the passage, there are admonitions for believers to reject strange teachings that contradict sound doctrine. It stresses the importance of the state of the heart, and that the heart (or soul) is as healthy as the food it feeds on, which is the word of God
A cardinal message in this passage is the importance of holiness for which Jesus Christ shed His blood. Holiness or sanctification – being made holy and set apart for divine service – cost Jesus His life in a once-and-for-all sacrifice for all humanity. Although the offer is open to all, it takes a personal decision and deliberate effort to take full advantage of that divine provision. Anyone desiring to be sanctified must have been saved from sins. It is believers, not sinners, who are in danger of abandoning sound doctrine for false teachings. Having accepted Jesus Christ as personal Saviour and Lord, the believer is instructed to take a further step – “go forth therefore unto him” (Hebrews 13:13) for a second work of grace: sanctification. We confidently reach out to Jesus because He is faithful, loving, and willing to pardon our sins and purge our hearts. We exercise the same faith by which we were saved.
Going to Jesus will cost us something – we shall share in the pain of His rejection and disdain by the world and other forms of persecution. We shall also consecrate and give up certain things that may be lawful but not expedient or helpful to our faith. God demands holiness in us, as His children (1 Peter 1:14-16). A lifestyle of holiness glorifies Him in this world because it sets us apart from others. Holiness gives us access to the throne of grace, authority with God, and power over the enemy.
Thought for the day
Saved and satisfied Christians know not the joy of being saved and sanctified.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
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