Sanctification is a Daily Surrender, not a one-time Achievement

 

Abraham and Abimelech

Humans are frail and flawed; without the empowerment and reliance on the Holy Spirit, even the faithful can falter. Abraham’s repeated deception about Sarah, first in Egypt in [Genesis 12:10–13], and later in Gerar in [Genesis 20:1-7] illustrates how old sins can resurface when we fail to walk closely with God.  

But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, “Indeed you are a dead man because of the woman whom you have taken, for she is a man’s wife.” (Genesis 20:3).

Age and experience do not produce holiness; only continual dependence on God’s Spirit does. Abraham repeated the same deception he used decades earlier. This shows that unconfessed or unchecked weaknesses can follow us through life. Even spiritual maturity does not erase the flesh; it must be crucified daily [Galatians 5:24].

 

Nonetheless, God, full of mercy, intervened [Genesis 20:3–7], through appearing to Abimelech, not with judgment, but to prevent sin. This shows that God protects His promises even when His servants fail. Grace does not excuse sin; it rescues us despite it. The scenario paints a paradox; Abimelech’s integrity contrasts sharply with Abraham’s deceit. It is a sobering moment when the world walks in integrity rather than God’s people. God’s servants lose moral authority when they compromise truth. Past victories do not guarantee present faithfulness. Sanctification is a daily surrender, not a one-time achievement. Therefore, we need the Holy Spirit continuously for lifelong sanctification. Spiritual maturity is not automatic with age; a lifetime of faith must still be lived through constant daily obedience. This requires yielding to the Holy Spirit to transform us from old habits into consistent holiness.

 

Abraham’s excuse

Abraham’s assumption about Gerar revealed more about his own spiritual state, than about the people of the land. He judged others through his own fear, not through faith.

This reveals how we see people based on our own lenses. Abraham’s fear and lack of trust distorted his perception of others and of God’s power. Ironically, Abimelech, whom Abraham assumed lacked the fear of God, showed greater moral integrity in the situation than Abraham did [Genesis 20:4–6].

And Abraham said, “Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place; and they will kill me on account of my wife (Genesis 20:11).

Abraham’s deception exposed that fear of man had replaced the fear of God in his heart at that moment. Yet, his repentance demonstrated humility; he acknowledged his wrong and allowed God to restore him. This reminds us that even the faithful can falter, but true reverence for God is shown when we repent and return to trust in Him rather than in ourselves.

 

Abraham lost the moral authority to reject Abimelech's gift

Abraham refused the king of Sodom’s offer of wealth, declaring that he would not let anyone say, I have made Abram rich [Genesis 14:21–24]. He wanted his blessing and prosperity to come only from God, not from human favor or compromise. That act revealed his faith, independence, and moral clarity.

Then Abimelech took sheep, oxen, and male and female servants, and gave them to Abraham; and he restored Sarah his wife to him (Genesis 20:14).

Nonetheless, in [Genesis 20:14], after his deception about Sarah, Abraham accepted gifts from Abimelech, sheep, oxen, servants, and the restoration of his wife. This marks a contrast: Abraham, who once stood firmly on principle, now receives gifts from a pagan king because his own actions had blurred the moral line. His fear-driven compromise weakened his testimony and moral authority. The man who once spoke boldly for God now had to receive restitution from a king who acted more righteously than he did. This shows how sin dulls spiritual conviction and makes it difficult to reclaim former moral authority. A reminder that integrity lost through fear or deceit can only be restored through repentance, not self-defense, and even then, its full influence may take time to recover.


George Ruheni, PhD.

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