The Cost of Living Free

GEM FOR THE DAY
Focusing his devotion for the day on the cost of Sanctification, Oswald asks the Christian warrior seven times if they are prepared. There is a tone of caution in Oswald's message to the Christian. Like a Captain addressing a squadron before they put on their armor and march to the battlefield, he warns the soldiers of the peril that lies ahead of them. His voice echoing in the valley of the shadow of death, "Are we prepared...?"

While salvation is freely given to all, through the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, sanctification unfortunately will cost the believer something. Oswald states "The cost will be a deep restriction of all our earthly concerns, and an extensive cultivation of all our godly concerns." On the surface, or at first glance this seems a reasonable price. However, once the warrior steps onto the battlefield and finds he is staring into the face of his father, mother, sister or brother wearing the oppositions crest, suddenly the cost of sanctification can seem outrageous.

The process of being transformed to the likeness of Christ will require complete surrender. A high price for those who are stingy with their time, talents and treasure. Oswald states; "Sanctification means to be intensely focused on God's point of view. It means to secure and to keep all the strength of our body, soul, and spirit for God's purpose alone."

DIGGING DEEPER

What does that look like?

The apostle Paul gives us an idea with the illustration of a slave and master. Reminding us: "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." (Romans 6:22NIV). For as the slave wakes to do the will of his master, so too the believer rises to serve the Lord. Desire to accomplish his own will is foreign to the faithful servant, for his pleasure is to please his master. Sanctification will cost the believer freedom: for he no longer lives as he pleases.

Oswald asks, "Are we prepared to say, "Lord, make me, a sinner saved by grace, as holy as You can"? For when we pray this prayer, the Lord will most certainly respond. Perhaps even before the day is done, the submissive child will find herself thrust into boot camp: an obstacle course before her that will stretch and strain every one of her spiritual muscles. Sanctification will cost the believer energy and pain.

Yes. Oswald's tone is serious because the situation at hand is serious. A spiritual war is being fought all around us, whether or not we acknowledge it. Daily battles are won for the kingdom as well as lost. Tragically millions perish in the combat: the number of spiritual casualties growing every day. Missionary warriors serving in various war zones are often lost in the midst of service. Sanctification may cost the Christian their very life.

While the enemy seeks to kill and destroy the kingdom warriors, the army of God is not focused on destroying their adversaries. That mission was completed by Jesus many years ago. On the contrary, the warriors of heaven are focused on rescuing prisoners of war. When men and women respond to the Lord's call to be kingdom warriors, when they surrender their will to serve their Master and when they ask the Lord to make them more like Christ, they will indeed incur a bill. Fortunately, as children of God they will never be asked to pay more than they can afford. Christians have endless funds in Christ who is more than willing to make daily deposits into their "saving account" or "trust funds".

Sanctification will cost the believer everything. But in the end they inherit heaven. And that is the deal of a lifetime!