Ep 894 – Sanctification – 1 Peter 1:1-2

There is a story recorded in the gospel of John that tells of the death of Lazarus and his miraculous resuscitation back to life by Jesus. When Lazarus had become ill, his two sisters had sent word to Jesus, hoping that He might come and heal their brother. But Jesus delayed and Lazarus died. By the time Jesus showed up in Bethany, Lazarus was long dead and buried. But Jesus commanded that the stone be removed. And Martha responded, "Lord, by now he stinks. It has already been four days." Lazarus, once alive and well, was dead and decaying. But Jesus spoke a word and restored his dead friend to life. And that is exactly what Jesus does for the spiritually dead. Through the indwelling presence of His Spirit, Jesus regenerates the life of those dead in their trespasses and sins. And the stink of spiritual death gets replaced with a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God.