(Connecting Advent and Holiness)
“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21 NASB). He brings us salvation; this is spelled out as deliverance from sins. Sin is our sickness, it is our disease, the infection from which we need to be healed. This healing work, our salvation, is accomplished through sanctification. “But we must always give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the first fruits for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and through belief in the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13 NRSV). Sanctification is not something in addition of salvation, it is the integral part of our being saved. This work is accomplished in us by the Holy Spirit. Jesus’ first advent announced it; by it, He is readying us for His Second Advent.
