#208 Sanctification

17 Then the Lord said to Moses, 18 “Make a bronze basin, with its bronze stand, for washing. Place it between the tent of meeting and the altar, and put water in it. 19 Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet with water from it.20 Whenever they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water so that they will not die. Also, when they approach the altar to minister by presenting a food offering to the Lord, 21 they shall wash their hands and feet so that they will not die. This is to be a lasting ordinance for Aaron and his descendants for the generations to come.” Exodus 30:17-21 NIV

It is a perplexing situation to many a new believer, and even more to those holding the magnifying glass from the outside. This matter of becoming clean, and growing in faith after it has first awakened. The priest underwent a symbolic cleansing upon entry to the priesthood, and a time of reflection upon the state of the heart. Why then do we still struggle in our members? Did we ever really struggle before, or did we merely strive towards the approval of men? 

and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;…Hebrews 10:21-23

This business of walking daily with the Lord, of waking not feeling it, of dependence upon Him, and having yet again to pray, confess and be reminded of the cross; it defies all magic or emotion. It transcends all present hope or lack there of, every situation, this sanctification. Yes, somehow God, I have needed You more, yet no more than before I realized I needed You at all. 

13 But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. 2Thessalonians 2:13

For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.15For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate. 16But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good.…Romans 7:14-16