JUST LIKE OUR LORD – “WHO REDEEMS YOUR LIFE FROM DESTRUCTION”

Sanctification, dear brothers and sisters, is an essential, but very painful process. Our fleshly man does not like it any bit. Our flesh, the natural man, would resist it tooth and nail. We simply hate it to be sanctified. This is the reality of life. 

However, without clear and visible signs of sanctification in our spiritual life, there is no life in us. We cannot be called Christians. Let us know this for sure dear friends – justification in Christ has no meaning and purpose, if there is no work of sanctification taking place in us. We are in a delusion about our justification, if we are assuming that, there is no need for any sanctification.
– “One should entertain no notions about justification if he does not at the same time possess the principle of sanctification.” – Wilhelmus à Brakel  

Let us continue our study of Psalm.103:1-6 and see what lessons we can learn for our sanctification.
– “​1 Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, 4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies, 5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 6 The LORD executes righteousness And justice for all who are oppressed.” – Psalm 103:1-6

Let us look at – “WHO REDEEMS YOUR LIFE FROM DESTRUCTION” – for our meditation this morning.

The LORD God Almighty redeemed us, when we were hopelessly, and helplessly on the highway to total self-destruction. There was nothing we could do about it. There was only one way we could be rescued. The solution for our predicament had to come from God Himself, against whom we rebelled, and have turned ourselves into His enemies. This God, the One who created us, chose to help us, by willingly taking up our position, to bear the burnt of our punishment, which we were to rightfully endure. The sacrifice of the LORD Jesus Christ fully satisfied the justice of God, and was accepted as sinless and perfect, therefore we are redeemed from sure destruction.
– “18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.” – 1 Peter 1:18-19
– “14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.” – Titus 2:14

Now, if this is how God dealt with us – His enemies – by rescuing us; then how should we be living, as His disciples and His ambassadors? We ought to be walking like how the LORD Jesus walked. Such a walk is a clear sign of progress, about our sanctification. Sanctification is being Christ-like in our thoughts, words and deeds. The more closer we walk, the more higher the degree of our sanctification, because the more closer we resemble the LORD Jesus Christ.
– “2 Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him…” – 1 John 3:2

The LORD Jesus gave His life for you and me, so that we could be saved. Would we be willing to give our life for Him and the kingdom of God? Would we be happy to lay down our life as a follower of the LORD Jesus, so that God can use us for His rescue mission? The implications of walking with Jesus, as His disciple and His ambassador are pretty serious, dear brother and sister. They are deep, wide and high, dear friends.
– “5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” – Philippians 2:5-8
– *”12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” – John 13:12-17

Now the above verses can surely crush our pride and our ego. They can completely kill us. It would be far easier to physically die, than to be crushed daily by such a life. Many Christians can have big egos, terribly arrogant hearts, and can be filled to the brim, and overflowing, with boastful pride in self and self-righteous accomplishments. Don’t you think so? I have seen some. At times, flashes of such traits were visible in me too. This is why the LORD Jesus said, unless a grain of wheat…
– “24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25 He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26 If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” – John 12:24-26

How is our sanctification working out? Do people see the LORD Jesus in us? Do our thoughts, words and deeds resemble our LORD? What are the things that catch the attention of our hearts? What are we naturally drawn towards? Are we drawn towards loving our LORD, and living our lives for Him, and Him alone? Unless we are dead to our flesh, and detest it with all our hearts, and abhor it just as our LORD abhors it, the work of sanctification cannot have a steady progress in us. Because, sanctification is dying to self; and only God can help us die to the flesh and self.

Let us therefore, desire with all our hearts to think, speak and do things, the way our LORD Jesus would. Even so, the LORD help us.