Hagiasmos — To be made holy or separate
“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:1-4
As I’m writing this my BSGs (Bible Study Girls) are working in the book “Now and Not Yet,” by Ruth Chou Simons. We’ve just completed a week long study on Joseph’s life found in Genesis 37-50. Joseph’s story is one of those known by believers and non-believers far and wide, mostly because of that coat. You know the one – of many colors that his dad Jacob made for him. That coat became a visual reminder of Joseph’s favored son status amongst his brothers.
You’re probably familiar with the story but here’s a quick re-cap: Joseph’s brother’s get angry when he shares a dream about ruling over all of them. They plot to kill him and instead sell him as a slave to some passing folks heading to Egypt. In Egypt, God puts him into one of Pharaoh’s official’s homes as a servant. He’s quite successful there managing the household. But Potiphar’s (the official) wife lusts after Joseph. When he rebuffs her, she lies and says it was Joseph trying to have his way with her. So, Joseph gets thrown in jail. But God puts his favor on Joseph in jail and he becomes the second- hand man of the jailer. Eventually, news of Joseph’s dream interpreting skill reaches Pharaoh who asks him to interpret a dream. Joseph tells him about a coming time of plenty then drought. Pharaoh then puts Joseph in charge of saving the Egyptian people from starvation. Eventually, Joseph’s brothers come to him asking for food, not realizing it’s their long lost brother. A happy reunion ensues when Joseph forgives the brothers.
Whew!
When asked at the end of the study week what three things stood out to me, I answered with this: 1) Even in the worst, he made it the best. 2) We don’t hear of God telling Joseph what to do. And 3) Joseph’s walk with God just seemed a part of him.
I pointed out to the ladies that the first time you even hear Joseph speak God’s name is when he rebuffs the wife. He said it would be wicked and sinful thing against God. After that even in jail while interpreting dreams, you don’t get Pauline-like statements about suffering and perseverance for God. But when asked by Pharaoh if he could interpret the dreams he said, “I cannot, but God will give Pharaoh the answers.” And when Joseph finally revealed who he was to his brothers he made the amazing statement, “And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.” Genesis 45:5
From favored son to dropped into a well to die. From slavery to Pharaoh’s trusted servant. From betrayed to forgiving. Joseph had God embedded so deeply in him that each trial, each good thing, was of God. It was as though he wore God as a comfortable, favorite coat.
You have to think as the years went by while in Egypt, he thought of the brothers who tried to kill him. As he sat rotting in jail for years, of that beautiful, multi-colored coat. We now can read the full story, but Joseph himself never knew what was to come. He only knew God was with him.
Raise your hand in all honesty if you would be plotting your revenge or how you would turn your backs on your family (or friends or neighbors or fellow church members) after being treated so terribly. All the while waiting to hear God’s voice telling you what to do or how to feel about it all.
When the time came to stand face to face with his brothers it wasn’t anger and bitterness that he expressed. He could look back at the betrayal of Potiphar’s wife and how it led him to years in jail all to be worked out by God. He saw how God, through his slavery, used him to save hundreds if not thousands of people. God didn’t have to reveal some new great truth to him. He slipped easily into wearing God’s goodness in the trials. He saw that God was sovereign, and he trusted Him. God was teaching him to persevere, leading him up to redeeming his family with forgiveness.
That’s sanctification.
We’re the fortunate ones to have the entire story of the Bible laid out in front of us. We get to see the work of an even greater Joseph – Jesus. We see how His Father asked Him to wear a different coat – one lined with all the blackness of our sins. His suffering and perseverance redeemed all humanity. His gift to us? The Holy Spirit residing in us for our time here in this world. So like Joseph we too can wear the living God each day. A majestic, wise and powerful inner coat. Having Him be a natural way of life for us – obeying, trusting and persevering.
Friends, we were sanctified by the blood of Jesus. Giving us justification to stand before God in peace. He has clothed us in white, having removed that dark punishment of death. We are being sanctified right now by the Holy Spirit guiding us through the hatred or lack of love we experience, the lies told about us, the tragedies and trials. He bathes us each in God’s glorious light that we might shine it out to the world! And what is all this for? We will experience our final sanctification when we are glorified and the purple robes of kings are placed on our shoulders. When we face our LORD and He says to us, “Welcome home, good and faithful servant!”
Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2.
Until then, God purifies us. He is making you holy, “hagiasmos” or set apart. Walk like Joseph through your day, wearing not that shiny, sparkly coat of the world, but rather the coat which envelopes you inside and out with the Holy Spirit. He will make you more valuable than any favored, earthly treasure. He will clothe you in something more precious than gold.
The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,
but people are tested by their praise. Proverbs 27:21
This week’s question: What’s been the most confusing or challenging part of your Christian journey?
emboldened.net 