SANCTIFICATION (HOLINESS)
Posted: Tue Mar 19, 2024
First of all santification is not a partial thing. When we dedicate our life to God, both spirit and body are to be set apart (santified/holifies/consecrated) to God. (1Thess4:4, 2Thess2:13, 1Pet1:2)
This is the will of God and His calling to us: our santification, God want us all for Himself (1Thess4:3&7), so much so that without it, no one will see the Lord (Heb12:14). Think about it. Paul even said that sanctification contains salvation (2Thess2:13).
Before we get to our final destination led by sanctification, let us review where it all starts, and after that we will see where it will leads us to.
Sanctification starts when we turn from darkness to light, that is, when we turn from the power of satan to the power of God (Acts 26:18). Then in the process of that sanctification, we cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit (2Cor7:1), since both our spirit and body are willed by God to be sanctified, they must be presented to Him clean and pure, holified for His glory. One must yield one's members servants to righteousness (Rom6:19). Self-submission to God and His discipline (Rom6:22, Heb12:10) and bearing fruit to our freedom from sin grows santification (Rom6:22)
Now, these things are a basics features of the Christian life and worship, so before we go any further I would encourage each one of us to stop, re-read the above paragraph and pray to see if we have the right foundation, solid enough to walk the life of sanctification that leads to salvation. Have we done and are we carrying on doing all of the above?
Now that we have seen where the source of sanctification is, we will now see where it resides, because this is the location we need reach, live in and stay, our tent of dwelling as we sejourn in this life as foreigners ready for our eternal residence.
We need first of all to live a life of truth, because -in- it resides the sanctified life (John 17:17&19). We also need to be -in- Christ, he being the head of the body and of our life, for in him we will find sanctification (1Cor1:2). Our focus also need to be centered in the guidance of the holy Spirit, for -in- it sanctification lives (Rom15:16). Our walk of life must be -in- the will of God because, amongst other things, His will holds our sanctification (Heb10:10).
Now that we have a better visual of both the origin of sanctification and it's location, we need to understand to bridge that links them, the pathway from one to the other, the route that gets you there, and after that we will look at the result of santification. Once again, I would encourage you to re-read the previous paragraph and pause and pray and see where you reside while you worship the Almighty.
There is only one road that leads to the place of sanstification (holiness), and that's the blood of the offering of the body of Christ (Heb10:10, Heb13:12). We will do a study in that one day, but the blood of the sacrifice of Christ buys us, forgives us, cleanses our sins and conscience, justifies us, covenants us, and sanctifies us. There is no way that anyone is able to reach the destination of sanctification without going through the effects of the gracious gift of the blood of Jesus Christ. Sanctification is in the blood of the covenant (Heb10:29), it is the bridge apart from which there is no salvation. You must cross it. It is the free grace of God.
Finally, after all the blessings of a life led by God for His pleasure and glory, the promises of forgiveness and of our inheritance to all who live a life of santification in faith in Christ is expressed in Acts 26:18.
Let us examine ourselves and see how we walk a lifestyle for the purpose of perfecting sanctification in the fear of God (2Co 7:1)
This is the will of God and His calling to us: our santification, God want us all for Himself (1Thess4:3&7), so much so that without it, no one will see the Lord (Heb12:14). Think about it. Paul even said that sanctification contains salvation (2Thess2:13).
Before we get to our final destination led by sanctification, let us review where it all starts, and after that we will see where it will leads us to.
Sanctification starts when we turn from darkness to light, that is, when we turn from the power of satan to the power of God (Acts 26:18). Then in the process of that sanctification, we cleanse ourselves from every defilement of flesh and spirit (2Cor7:1), since both our spirit and body are willed by God to be sanctified, they must be presented to Him clean and pure, holified for His glory. One must yield one's members servants to righteousness (Rom6:19). Self-submission to God and His discipline (Rom6:22, Heb12:10) and bearing fruit to our freedom from sin grows santification (Rom6:22)
Now, these things are a basics features of the Christian life and worship, so before we go any further I would encourage each one of us to stop, re-read the above paragraph and pray to see if we have the right foundation, solid enough to walk the life of sanctification that leads to salvation. Have we done and are we carrying on doing all of the above?
Now that we have seen where the source of sanctification is, we will now see where it resides, because this is the location we need reach, live in and stay, our tent of dwelling as we sejourn in this life as foreigners ready for our eternal residence.
We need first of all to live a life of truth, because -in- it resides the sanctified life (John 17:17&19). We also need to be -in- Christ, he being the head of the body and of our life, for in him we will find sanctification (1Cor1:2). Our focus also need to be centered in the guidance of the holy Spirit, for -in- it sanctification lives (Rom15:16). Our walk of life must be -in- the will of God because, amongst other things, His will holds our sanctification (Heb10:10).
Now that we have a better visual of both the origin of sanctification and it's location, we need to understand to bridge that links them, the pathway from one to the other, the route that gets you there, and after that we will look at the result of santification. Once again, I would encourage you to re-read the previous paragraph and pause and pray and see where you reside while you worship the Almighty.
There is only one road that leads to the place of sanstification (holiness), and that's the blood of the offering of the body of Christ (Heb10:10, Heb13:12). We will do a study in that one day, but the blood of the sacrifice of Christ buys us, forgives us, cleanses our sins and conscience, justifies us, covenants us, and sanctifies us. There is no way that anyone is able to reach the destination of sanctification without going through the effects of the gracious gift of the blood of Jesus Christ. Sanctification is in the blood of the covenant (Heb10:29), it is the bridge apart from which there is no salvation. You must cross it. It is the free grace of God.
Finally, after all the blessings of a life led by God for His pleasure and glory, the promises of forgiveness and of our inheritance to all who live a life of santification in faith in Christ is expressed in Acts 26:18.
Let us examine ourselves and see how we walk a lifestyle for the purpose of perfecting sanctification in the fear of God (2Co 7:1)