20For as many as are the promises of God … 21Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, 22who also sealed us and gave us the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.
Promises of God form the foundation for our sanctification. To be sure, we are already sanctified in that we have been “set aside” for His purposes. Theologians call this “positional sanctification.” Our role in “progressive sanctification” has to do with our faith in His promises. Too often Christians receive salvation by grace through faith, but then go on to strive for sanctification by what they do, minimizing God’s role in the process. Paul wrote to the Colossians about the “true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col. 2:2b–3). Then he goes on to explain, “I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument … Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him” (Col. 2:4, 6). In other words, it is a delusion to think that after having been saved by grace through faith, we should apply for our sanctification on the basis of our human efforts. No, the Christian life continues as it began: by faith, just as we received Christ!
Paul brings the Corinthians back to the promises of God, which are only limited in their value to us by our weak faith. In Christian vernacular, we use the word “promises” in a fairly broad sense to include not only specifically termed promises, but clear truths about God on which we can build our lives. Paul points to the following great truths about God, which we can hold as promises in that they are true and will never change. First, God has established us in Christ: we stand on a firm foundation, a rock that will never give way. Second, the Corinthians, despite their failings, are included in this establishment. In other words, they have not lost their salvation, and they are in the Christian endeavor together with Christ. The same is true of us along with all Christians.
Third, we have been anointed, that is, set aside for a special task. Paul sees everyone as a potential co-worker with him in God’s plan! Fourth, we have been sealed, and nothing can break that seal. Because God is yes, we are sealed forever! Fifth, He has given us the Spirit, and He will never take it away. We can do nothing to change the mind of God so that He takes His Spirit away from us. If He said yes to us, He will not change and say no.
Paul calls the Corinthians and us today to rise to the level of our calling in Christ as “saints” (1 Cor. 1:2, 2 Cor. 1:1), to believe in and trust His promises, and to rest on what we know is true about God.
Lord, help me to know You better so that I can live my life more certainly.
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