Models of Sanctification: Hospitality and Devotional

“Like the work of an artist who molds a lump of clay into its intended shape, the Spirit’s sanctifying work lies in shaping people into the image of Christ.” –Leopoldo Sanchez

How is the Holy Spirit at work in your life?

Thus far we’ve considered three models of Sanctification: the Renewal model, in which the Christian life is described as one dying and being raised with Christ, reflected in a life of daily repentance and forgiveness of one another; the Dramatic model, where the believer stands firm against spiritual attacks, depending on God’s Word, prayer, and mutual support of the faithful; and the Sacrificial model, a life of serving and sharing with our neighbors our burdens and our joys.

The fourth model of Sanctification that Dr Sanchez sets before us is one of Hospitality: welcoming sinners and strangers into God’s kingdom. When God first made His covenant with Abraham, His promise was not for the Israelites alone. Through Abraham, God said, “all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). And Jesus Himself, though He brought the Gospel first to the Jews, also reached out to Samaritans and Gentiles, as did Philip (Acts 8:26ff), Peter (Acts 10:1ff.) and others after them.

Thus, the Holy Spirit calls and empowers us to reach out to others, to the forgotten, the excluded, and the marginalized, whether they be poor, widows, orphans, refugees, ethnic minorities, or excluded just because they are “different.” Practices of welcome and hospitality prepare the way for the Gospel to be shared and received by others who otherwise might never hear it.

The fifth and final model of Sanctification Dr Sanchez invites us to consider is Devotional. This involves a life dedicated to worshiping God in all things: work, rest, and play. This model “deals with issues such as the need for balance and rhythm in life, avoiding the dangers of burnout and idleness, and inviting persons to stand still and rejoice in God’s gifts of creation and salvation in a busy world” (Sanchez, Sculptor Spirit, 169).

When we look at the life of our Savior, we see that even Jesus honored God at all times in His life. Yes, He worked diligently, but He also took time to rest, faithfully embracing the Sabbath not just as a “day off from work” but as a time for devotion to God’s Word and to prayer. In so doing, His example guides us to avoid workaholism (which often results in burnout) and, instead, to find joy in God’s and in the rhythm of prayer, study, and labor which God has designed for our lives and through which we worship Him constantly. “Taking time to delight in God’s gifts of food and drink, friendship and fellowship, and sleep flows from a trust in the Creator who made heaven and earth and thus is able to fulfill his promises. A life of devotion to God prevents us from falling prey to the idolatry of work” (Sanchez, 185).

These five Models of Sanctification are just a starting point for our contemplation on how the Holy Spirit may shape and direct our lives in Christ. I’m sure there are many ways in which we could further describe the Holy Spirit’s work of Sanctification in us. For each individual life is just that: an individual creation of God, unique in its vocation. We trust that the Holy Spirit can and will do what is needed to shape each of us in the particular image of Christ that He sees appropriate for us, that we may serve our God as He would have us serve Him.