My son and I recently went to see a movie together. I really didn’t do much research into the movie. It was rated 14A, not restricted, had an interesting premise, and Ryan Reynolds was one of the main actors.
I have to confess that previous to this movie I liked Ryan Reynolds as an actor, primarily because I think he looks like our oldest son David, and that he comes from Vancouver. This particular movie was called the Hitman’s Bodyguard.
I’m not going to describe the movie or its story line other than to say I was really disappointed. My disappointment was primarily grounded in the language. I have to say that the language was appalling. It seemed that every sentence contained some form of “mother ‘f’er”, with frequent filthy talk of some kind, and repeated use of Jesus’ name in derogatory terms.
Now, I typically don’t have trouble with rough language in real life. Hey, I know that’s simply how many people talk and that’s just the way they are. I work with some people like that. However, choosing to expose myself to copious amounts of what I consider crude and vile language in my entertainment choices is not something I want to make a habit of doing.
I left the theater feeling slimed. I felt like I needed a shower. I actually asked the Lord to forgive me and cleanse my heart.
Now I realize this may sound super-spiritual and ‘religious’. I understand that. However, I have recently felt challenged by the Lord in regard to the concept of “sanctification”.
So what does “sanctification” mean? Well, simply stated it means, “to make holy, or to sanctify”. To sanctify means to “set apart for particular use in a special purpose or work and to make holy or sacred.”
Sanctification is a very significant concept in theological debate. I’m not going to solve that debate in this simple blog. I would simply like to comment on the role we play in sanctification.
Scripture is clear that we are sanctified by the blood of Christ, the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. I believe we are and are becoming sanctified. By the miraculous work of the Holy Spirit in our spiritual new birth we are sanctified.
And, I also believe we now play a role in our sanctification. We can choose to submit and surrender to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and we can also choose to meditate on/ingest the Word of God – which is living and active – to transform our mind and heart.
We have a personal responsibility to surrender to the work of the Holy Spirit, and to become students of the Word of God. This is the role we play in our sanctification. Our minds and hearts need to be transformed by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God.
This is the journey we embark upon to grow in maturity. We learn to believe, think and then act differently. We all know this doesn’t happen overnight. This only happens over years of journeying with Jesus in obedience to His Word and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
This, therefore, is our act of worship.
So how does all this apply to the movie I just watched?
Well, what I chose to expose myself to did not contribute to my further sanctification. Sure, it was entertaining, it was fun, but the thoughts and language I ingested gave me mental and spiritual heart burn. It was kind of like eating the worst junk food you can think of in the middle of a healthy cleanse of some kind.
I certainly didn’t feel sanctified after watching the movie.
What’s the lesson?
We play a role in our further sanctification – becoming more like Jesus – by what we choose to expose ourselves to. We are what we eat basically.
So what are you eating? What role are you playing in your sanctification? Are you partnering with the Holy Spirit and the Word of God? Or, are you feeding on that which sets your sanctification process backward?
How are you partnering with the Spirit of God in your process of sanctification?
Philippians 4:8
“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.”
2 Thessalonians 2:13
“But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth.”
John 17: 17-19
“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.”