What does the sanctified life actually look like?

Last updated on: November 12, 2014 at 9:54 pm by Jordan Cooper

What does the sanctified life actually look like? 2014-11-12T21:54:01-06:00 Jordan Cooper

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All of this discussion about sanctification has sometimes gotten into abstract categories, and there has been much misunderstanding. There have been some forums where people have asked questions like: “what does piety actually look like?” and we have not addressed such issues well. So here is a practical illustration of what it actually looks like to live a life of sanctification (note that the “I” is a hypothetical individual, lest anyone think I am setting myself up as some kind of examples of holy living):

I wake up in the morning, and make the sign of the cross over myself. I remind myself of who I am in Christ by Holy Baptism, and ask for God’s help to love and serve my neighbor throughout the day as I pray Luther’s morning prayer.

During the day, I try and treat others well in my job, and perform my duties well. I see that someone at the office is having a bad day, and I give them a word of encouragement. I take time to make sure that I treat customers well, and listen to their needs, even when I really don’t want to. I try to avoid the gossip going around at work, and only speak highly of other people. When the opportunity arises, I speak to others about the love of God in Christ Jesus.

I come home and try to be patient and loving toward my wife and children. My wife reminds me of something that I said which was offensive to her. I confess my sin immediately, ask for her forgiveness, and sincerely ask God to help me to treat her better in the future. In the evening I spend time in family worship, praying and reading Scripture with my wife and kids. I support my wife’s decisions regarding the children, even if I would not have made the same decisions. I make sure to tell my kids about the love I have for them, and about the love that Christ has for them.

At night, I go to bed and go back through my day. As I reflect on my day, I remember all of the things I have done wrong. I remember that I got really angry at work, and that I didn’t give my wife the attention she deserved. I recall some really mean thoughts that I had about my coworkers. I realize that my mind was drifting off during family worship, and that I was not really focused on God. I confess these sins to God, asking for his forgiveness in Christ and for help to follow God’s will the next day through Luther’s evening prayer. Finally, I go to bed with joy and full assurance of my salvation in Christ who forgives sinners. The next day begins and the cycle happens again.

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