What does the sanctified life actually look like?

All of this discussion about sanctification has sometimes gotten into abstract categories, and there has been much misunderstanding. There have been some forums where people have asked questions like: “what does piety actually look like?” and we have not addressed such issues well. So here is a practical illustration of what it actually looks like to live a life of sanctification (note that the “I” is a hypothetical individual, lest anyone think I am setting myself up as some kind of examples of holy living):

I wake up in the morning, and make the sign of the cross over myself. I remind myself of who I am in Christ by Holy Baptism, and ask for God’s help to love and serve my neighbor throughout the day as I pray Luther’s morning prayer.

During the day, I try and treat others well in my job, and perform my duties well. I see that someone at the office is having a bad day, and I give them a word of encouragement. I take time to make sure that I treat customers well, and listen to their needs, even when I really don’t want to. I try to avoid the gossip going around at work, and only speak highly of other people. When the opportunity arises, I speak to others about the love of God in Christ Jesus.

I come home and try to be patient and loving toward my wife and children. My wife reminds me of something that I said which was offensive to her. I confess my sin immediately, ask for her forgiveness, and sincerely ask God to help me to treat her better in the future. In the evening I spend time in family worship, praying and reading Scripture with my wife and kids. I support my wife’s decisions regarding the children, even if I would not have made the same decisions. I make sure to tell my kids about the love I have for them, and about the love that Christ has for them.

At night, I go to bed and go back through my day. As I reflect on my day, I remember all of the things I have done wrong. I remember that I got really angry at work, and that I didn’t give my wife the attention she deserved. I recall some really mean thoughts that I had about my coworkers. I realize that my mind was drifting off during family worship, and that I was not really focused on God. I confess these sins to God, asking for his forgiveness in Christ and for help to follow God’s will the next day through Luther’s evening prayer. Finally, I go to bed with joy and full assurance of my salvation in Christ who forgives sinners. The next day begins and the cycle happens again.