Living a Sanctified Life in Christ • ~10 min read
Welcome back, dear friends, to our study on God's beautiful design for our lives! In our journey to understand God's grace and wholeness, especially concerning sexuality, we recognize that living a life that honors Him involves a constant, active pursuit. Today, we're focusing on a vital aspect of that pursuit: actively seeking purity and cultivating self-control. These aren't just abstract ideals; they are practical, daily choices that shape our character and reflect the transforming power of Christ in us. The Bible calls us to embrace a sanctified life, a life set apart for God, where our thoughts, words, and actions—including those related to our sexuality—are brought into harmony with His divine will.
The Christian life, much like the life of an athlete, requires discipline and focused effort. The apostle Paul understood this well, using vivid imagery to describe the commitment needed to live for Christ. He tells us:
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
1 Corinthians 9:27
Paul's words here are powerful. He speaks of "keeping under" and "bringing into subjection" his own body. This isn't about self-condemnation, but about a conscious, Spirit-empowered effort to manage our physical desires and impulses, so they don't lead us astray from our spiritual goal. Just as an athlete trains rigorously to achieve their prize, so too must we train ourselves in righteousness, exercising control over our thoughts, appetites, and passions. Our bodies, the Bible tells us, are not our own to do with as we please, but are temples of the Holy Spirit:
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
This truth elevates the importance of self-control and purity. We are called to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God, which is our reasonable service (Romans 12:1). This involves a daily surrender and a conscious effort to align our physical and mental lives with God's perfect standard.
Living a sanctified life is a process of growth, a journey where we actively build upon the foundation of our faith. The apostle Peter outlines a beautiful progression of Christian virtues that lead to a fruitful and effective spiritual life:
And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.
2 Peter 1:5-7
Notice where "temperance" appears in this list – it's nestled between knowledge and patience. "Temperance" is another word for self-control, and it's presented as a crucial step in spiritual development. It's not enough to simply have faith; we are called to diligently *add* these qualities to our character. Self-control allows us to apply the knowledge we gain from God's Word, and it's essential for developing patience and godliness. Without self-control, our desires can easily derail our spiritual progress, but with it, we can grow into the full measure of Christ's character. This chain of virtues helps us to be "neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 1:8).
As we cultivate self-control, we also learn to direct our thoughts towards what is pure and uplifting. Paul encourages us:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Philippians 4:8
Purity in thought is a cornerstone of purity in action. By intentionally focusing our minds on virtuous and godly things, we build a defense against impure temptations and strengthen our capacity for self-control.
Sometimes, we might feel overwhelmed by the call to purity and self-control, as if it's a burden too heavy to bear. But the good news is that we are not left to our own strength. God's grace, which brings salvation, also empowers us to live a sanctified life. Paul explains this profound truth to Titus:
For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
Titus 2:11-13
This passage reveals that grace is not just about forgiveness for past sins; it is an active, teaching force in our lives. God's grace empowers us to "deny ungodliness and worldly lusts"—which certainly includes any form of sexual impurity—and to live "soberly, righteously, and godly." This transformation is not something we achieve by sheer willpower alone, but by yielding to the power of God's grace working within us. It teaches us to "put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness" (Ephesians 4:22-24).
The hope of Christ's return is a powerful motivator for seeking purity. The apostle John reminds us:
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
1 John 3:2-3
Our hope in Christ's glorious appearing inspires us to actively purify ourselves, striving to reflect His character more and more each day. This pursuit of holiness, which includes purity and self-control, is not optional but essential for those who long to see the Lord:
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
Hebrews 12:14
Seeking purity and cultivating self-control are vital components of living a sanctified life in Christ. They are active choices, empowered by God's grace, that enable us to honor Him in our bodies and minds. Through diligent effort, reliance on the Holy Spirit, and the teaching power of God's grace, we can grow in these virtues, reflecting more and more the beautiful character of our Savior. This journey of transformation prepares us not only for a life of wholeness and joy now but also for the glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.