Sanctification     

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"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (II Cor. 7:1)."

There is a wonderful hymn penned by the prolific lyricist Ms. Fanny Crosby entitled “Draw Me Nearer.  The words and rhythmic pace of the hymn (music written by William Doane), express beauty and personal intimacy in coming to know the Lord Jesus.  As a new convert, numerous songs and hymns simply come alive in the soul and evoke varying degrees and levels of emotion, depth, worship, devotion, and gratitude.  (Other such hymns include "Blessed Assurance," "What a Friend We Have in Jesus," and "Have Thy Own Way, Lord".)

As explained in the next segment ("True Way"), a believer is to experience water baptism and live a sanctified life.  In Christianity, sanctification is being made holy as you draw nearer to God - separated for service to him.  After Moses spent forty years in Midian, he was called of God at the backside of Mount Horeb.  What a marvelous sequence as Moses is first drawn to the burning bush and states, “… I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt (Ex. 3:3).”  Please note that after Moses turns (Zec. 1:3), God calls him by name and says:

“... Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground (Ex. 3:5).” 

The Lord God never changes.  His call is always personal and holy (II Tim. 1:9).   There are admonitions one is to follow in order to draw closer to and better understand Him.  As dear children, He not only instructs us to seek His righteous, but also His holiness in that He clearly states “… Be ye holy; for I am holy" (I Pet. 1:16).   The closer we draw to Him, the more like Him we become (Gal. 2:20).  And as we delight ourselves in Him, he gives us more of what we desire (Ps. 37:4) in Him.

Where do we stand after conversion?  Romans 10:10 states: “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”  This state of being is not righteousness we possess, but the righteousness of God;

“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him (II Cor. 5:21).”

What quiet assurance the righteousness of God produces (Is. 32:17).  Believers become “servants of righteousness” (Rom. 6: 18).  However, we are not to end there, as clearly stated in the following verse:

“... even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness (Rom 6:19).”

Please take particular note of the words "unto holiness."  In Christendom, saints are to continue moving forward and adding to what God has begun.  For although it appears that the righteous shall “scarcely be saved” (I Pet. 4:18); when one continues to build according to the scripture, “… an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ" (II Pet. 1:11). 

Every step forward is achieved by the grace of the Lord God and His Son Jesus Christ (I Cor. 15:10).  Once we make the effort we ought, He always performs His Word and we will be blessed (James 1:25).  So what are we to do after being drawn to Him, accepting the call, repenting of our sins, and receiving forgiveness?  We renounce our former lives and (often) self-destructive practices by putting off the former self and putting on the new man in Christ (Col. 3:5-10; please read each of these verses).  Water baptism in Jesus name is an initial and commanded step in this process (Acts 8:12; 10:48; 16;33; 19:5). 

Upon renouncing our former lives, we choose not to participate with others in practices that we are now ashamed of (Rom. 6:21).  As our example, Jesus did not disassociate Himself from those who most needed salvation (Mt. 9:10).  However, His association was to heal and not harm; to be light in a world of darkness.  And He most certainly did not sin.  He showed the way we are to live in this world separate from that which will draw us away from the Holy one (II Cor. 6: 14-18).  We are to consider ourselves dead to sin (Rom. 6:11) and live as witnesses to Jesus.  As I first learned through an apostolic ministry, we are not of the world (that is; not part of the world’s direction and course of carnality, selfishness, violence, and materialism; Jn. 15:19).  There is certainly a cost involved.  True believers will experience rejection, misunderstanding, and even false accusation.  As scripture explains “… all that will live godly in Jesus Christ shall suffer persecution (II Tim. 3:12).”  Following is a verse that I personally took more careful note of in service after hearing emphasis placed on the words "arm yourself":

“Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin: That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God (I Pet. 4:1-2).”

Bear in mind, that in Jesus Christ, we are no longer under the “dominion” of sin (Rom. 6:14).  But rather we can (by his grace) choose to yield to his Spirit and not succumb to the fleshly lure of temptation.  Hold to the saving faith that you were given and remember:

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith (I Jn. 5:4).”

“Then Jesus said unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me (Mt. 16:24).”

In laying aside self and putting off the former life, we sanctify ourselves and the holy God will surely “sanctify us wholly” (I Th. 5:23).  Jesus said plainly, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (Jn. 17:17).  We develop in him as he speaks to us individually through his Word.  This is also expressed by Jesus in His teaching on the “true vine.”  He states:

“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you (Jn. 15:3).”

How wonderful there is washing of water through His Word (Eph. 5:26; Jn. 17:17; Ez. 36:25).  This entire process is certainly governed by the Father and the Son.

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The sacrificial shedding of blood in the Old Testament foreshadowed the mighty sacrifice of Christ Jesus.  The scripture explains:

“For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul (Lev. 17:11).”

So we can now pray to our High Priest Jesus Christ directly to purge our “conscience from dead works” to serve Him who became our sacrifice and entered into the heavenly place by His own blood (Heb. 4:14; 9:14; 9:12).  We can be continually made clean through His atoning work.

“… and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (I Jn. 1:7).”

How wonderful great!  The way has been masterfully prepared for all of us to live in peace with God through Jesus Christ.  He provided the access and way in which we are to go.  Jesus Christ is literally everything to us in obtaining eternal salvation and the way to live.

“But of him are ye in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption (I Cor. 1:30):”

Please note the wording order and sequence of the above verse, first wisdom:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: … (Ps. 111:10.)”

“Wisdom is the principle thing; therefore get wisdom: …(Prov. 4:7).”

Next, righteousness:

“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness… (Rom. 10:10).”

Then, sanctification:

“By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all (Heb. 10:10).”

And finally, redemption:

“And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh (Lk. 21:28).”

The way to live a sanctified life is clear so that we may be made whole and holy in Him.  As the scripture instructs, as we draw closer to God, “let us cleanse ourselves” and allow Him to continue to fulfill His wonderful Word (Jas. 4:8)(II Cor. 7:1).

Exactly what type of people will Christ find when He returns?

 “He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still; and he that is holy, let him be holy still (Rev. 22:11)."

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