The two most powerful and pregnant words in the entire New Testament are the two words “in Christ.” Every provision of God’s Love and Mercy belongs to those of us who are “in Christ.” As New Covenant believers, we are who we are, we have what we have, and we can do all that God has called us to do because we are “in Christ.” We must never forget that, as wonderful as our position, privilege, potential and provision is, it is only by the Grace of God that we are who we are (I Cor. 15:10).

   Charismatic Bible teachers have seemed to major to some degree or other in years past on the fact that Christ Jesus has been made to us “wisdom, righteousness…and redemption.” We love to meditate on the fact that the “mind of Christ” (which means much more than most modern Charismatics realize) is available for us. We rejoice that through the precious Blood of Jesus we have been made righteous before Almighty God. We are thrilled that contained in the plan of redemption is not only salvation from sin, but healing from mental and physical disorders, and blessing and provision in every area of life to fulfill God’s purpose. All of these truths are vital and important.

    However, sometimes it seems that while we Charismatics have been quick to latch on to our “rights and privileges” as believers, we have not been so quick to recognize or embrace our “responsibilities.” The same Jesus that has been made to us wisdom, righteousness and redemption, has also been made to us “sanctification.”

   The word “sanctification” comes from the Greek word “hagios,” which means “made holy.” Another rendering of the word involves the concept of being “made separate.” All too often in the past we have emphasized all that we have been separated “from,” without realizing the depth of what and Who we have been separated “unto.”

   We Word of Faith Charismatics have preached and taught for years that God desires all that now “legally” belongs to us by virtue of our being “in Christ,” become not only a legal “position,” but a “vital” experiential “possession.” In other words, we have recognized that it is by faith that we embrace and apply the provisions of the Cross in every area of our lives. We have declared our decrees and made our “confessions” (all rightly so) that “by His stripes we were healed” (I Pet. 2:24), and “my God supplies all my need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philip. 4:19). We have resisted sickness and poverty, in Jesus’ Name, because of what God’s Word declares. But I am concerned that we have not been so quick to apply God’s provision of sanctification, hungering to see its fruit demonstrated in our lives as well. When we have sinned, we have generally been quick to claim that “He is faithful and just to forgive my sin” (I Jn. 1:9a), but not so quick to claim and apply “and CLEANSE me from all unrighteousness” (I Jn. 1:9b).

    A dear friend of mine, who stands in the Prophetic Office, told me some months ago that the Lord had revealed to him that believers were about to be tested by the devil again in areas of their lives where they really thought they walked in a measure of victory. Not long after he told me that, as if to underscore the point, I was tested in an area that had NEVER been an issue in my life or ministry. Since then, other areas of life that I thought were long overcome have also been tested again. It is my opinion that one thing God wants to show us through all this, is that in many areas of our lives we have perhaps made “behavior adjustments,” which are good enough in themselves, yet without a corresponding heart transformation. And if our behavior has been merely modified by “will power” and nothing else, we will sooner or later fall prey to the vicious cycle of “sin and repent” in those troubled areas of our lives. God’s desire is that we be transformed not merely in our behavior, but in our character.

   Thanks be to God, there is a “law of Zoe Life in the realm of the spirit” which enables me to walk free from the “law of sin” which will be continually attempting to work in my “members” until I leave this planet (Rom. 8:2). God has made provision, through Jesus’ death and resurrection, for believers to not only be forgiven for sin, but actually empowered to live above it. Although I don’t know anyone who has walked above all sin 100% of the time, we should all be constantly “pressing toward the mark” (Philip. 3:14), confident that God has made provision in Christ for not only our “overcoming,” but also for the “transformation” of our souls (Rom. 12:2). The overwhelming hunger of our heart should be to “know Him” (Philip. 3:10) and consequently be rid of anything in our character, not only in our outward behavior, that might in any way hinder our “knowing Him.”

   Pentecostals, to whom we Charismatics owe a debt of love and gratitude for all they have done to pave the way for us in things pertaining to the Holy Spirit, have been divided almost since the beginning of the movement over whether “sanctification” involved a “crisis event,” or a progressive “growth in grace.” May I submit to you that the solution to this question is not “either—or,” but “both—and.” While we all realize that we are yet growing and progressing into the fullness of all God has called us to be, each of us can still point to specific definitive moments where one or the other of our “Isaacs” was once and for all laid upon the altar.

    Kathryn Kuhlman frequently said, “Kathryn Kuhlman died a long time ago. I know the day and I can take you to the spot where Kathryn Kuhlman died.” She was not talking about her new birth experience, for she had been born again, and had even been active in ministry for years before this event to which she so reverently referred occurred. You see there came a point in Miss Kuhlman’s life where she had to decide between her overwhelming passion and hunger for the Lord she loved with all her heart, and her own plans and soulish desires. The writer of Hebrews admonishes that we have “not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin” (Heb. 12:4). Although I have never experienced “hematadrosis,” as did Jesus in His agonizing Gethsemane experience, I have experienced, on a much lower level, the emotional struggle that often ensues when it comes to abandoning my own agenda to embrace His.

Jesus said that we must “take up our cross” and follow Him (Matt. 16:24). Our “cross” is not some sickness or disease. Our “cross” does not involve us bearing anything that Jesus Himself bore for us on His Cross. But Jesus said, “It is for this purpose that I came into the world” (Jn. 18:37). Dear saint, taking your “cross” involves the total rejection of your agenda and the total embracing of His agenda. We could say that “taking up your cross” is simply embracing your Divinely appointed destiny, and putting to death, as it were, whatever in your life might be at odds with it.

We Charismatics love to talk about “resurrection power.” And certainly there is no one that preaches or exalts the resurrection of Jesus Christ more than I do. However, we often forget that in order for there to be a “resurrection,” something has to have died. The cross, among other things, is an instrument of death. As we claim that “Jesus is our sanctification,” let us always remember that it’s only to the degree that we die to our own human plans and agendas that we can experience the fullness of His Divine Plan. It is only as we bring to the Cross and put to death the secret sins and filthy attitudes to which we feel so humanly “entitled,” that we will see the outshining of God’s Holy Character in our lives and in the Body of Christ. In many past moves of God, there have been those who tapped into a measure of God’s Power, yet fell and brought reproach because their character in private did not match their anointing in public. Again, it is not holiness OR power, but rather holiness AND power that God is bringing forth in us today, in preparation for what I believe will be the greatest move of God the world has ever seen!