People are attracted to progressive sanctification because they believe it offers a realistic, grace-filled approach to spiritual growth. However, upon closer examination, we see that progressive sanctification is a works-filled approach to spiritual decay. Join me as I discuss how the belief in progressive sanctification is a lie that cripples the relationship between Christians and Jesus Christ. Resources: Sanctification livinggodministries.net/living_god_ministries/radio_archive/audio_files/sanctification_ext.mp3 https://share.google/ThhVzD8nP3i3pA6Cr
Showing posts with label Sanctification. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sanctification. Show all posts
Sunday, July 5, 2026
Sunday, November 15, 2020
Set Apart
"And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." Hebrews 10:10
The idea of God's will focuses on what it is that He wants each Christian to do as they walk with Him throughout life. This leaves out a primary area of His will. When it comes to our identity in Christ it is important that we understand how it is that God sees us through our faith in Jesus Christ. God sees us as holy. The author of Hebrews says that we "have been made holy." To have been made holy expresses the fact that the truth we were made holy has not changed in the present. The moment we believed God and accepted Jesus Christ as our savior, we were made holy; set apart by God for the work of the ministry. However, because our behavior is not perfect and we continue to sin, there is this idea that our holiness is a never-ending work in progress. It is referred to as "progressive sanctification." Progressive sanctification is said to be what gradually separates the people of God from the world and makes them more and more like Jesus Christ. This may sound good but is wrong. Our sanctification is not "gradual." We do not become "more and more like Jesus." If sanctification is a process, what do we use to measure our progress? Therefore, we would have to use the law of God to determine how we are doing. The Bible is clear about the law and its relation to us:
- For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Galatians 3:10
- "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law." 1 Corinthians 15:56
- "We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers ... " 1 Timothy 1:9
- “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5
- "For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing." Romans 7:19
- "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:48
When you believe that you are set apart by God through faith in Jesus Christ, it will reveal itself to you. Confessing you are sanctified by faith to someone who believes in progressive sanctification will reveal how set apart you have become. It will also reveal itself to you when your beliefs reveal themselves to the world. If you admit that belief in Jesus Christ is the only way for a person to get to heaven, you will find out that you are set apart. Expressing yourself in regards to morality as it pertains to subjects like marriage, the sanctity of life, and capital punishment will set you apart from many around you. There is no need to concern yourself with trying to progressively sanctify yourself through works because by God's declaration you will find out the meaning of being sanctified.
Saturday, August 17, 2019
The Week in Answers
This past week I took the time to visit a Christian forum where a vast array of topics are discussed. I thought you may benefit from my answers to the questions and topics I engaged in.
Q; Why am I stuck in my sin?
A: From my experience with the sin in my life, I have come to believe that when I sin it is because I am looking for love, acceptance, meaning, and purpose in life from the world rather than from my relationship with Jesus Christ. You will always have some sin in your life. As you focus on your relationship with the Lord, the byproduct will be a diminishing of sin in your life, but you won't completely get rid of the sin until you die and enter eternity. However, be at peace, God is not counting your sin against you. This isn't to excuse it, but to say that nothing is separating you from your God; including your sin. When you sin, I would suggest asking God, "What am I expecting to get from this sin that I am not receiving from you?" Sin begins in the heart. When God starts to do a work in you and change your heart, you won't want to do those sins anymore. However, this takes time. It won't happen overnight. God is patient with you. Grace and Peace.
Q: Who is responsible for our sanctification?
A: God is responsible for my sanctification, not me. I don't get sanctified by how I live. I am sanctified based off of Who lives in me.
"But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:11
"For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified." Hebrews 10:14
Grace and Peace.
Q: Is it a sin to attend more than one denomination?
A: No, it is not a sin. Your church doesn't own you, Jesus does. If they teach that, leave. There is no law or biblical mandate requiring you to attend one particular gathering of Christians or preventing you from visiting multiple denominations. Besides, we are not under the law and even if it was a sin, it was forgiven at the cross, along with all your other sins. Go where you go. The Holy Spirit goes with you. Furthermore, Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them (Matthew 18:20).” This "gathering" can take place anywhere, regardless of denominational affiliation, and it could be just you and Jesus; that makes up two. Trust Him to speak to you if He believes you should settle in one place. Be well.
Q: Is it okay to be single forever; to be single as long as you live?
A: Yes, it is okay to be "single as long as you live." There is no biblical directive on who stays single, who gets married, etc. Personally, I would ask the Lord what He sees in your circumstances. I am almost 50, single, never been married, and don't have any children. I don't worry about it. If someone comes along great, if not, great. You are a child of God. The Lord doesn't love you based on your relationship status. He loves you based on your relationship status with Him through faith in Jesus Christ. Grace and Peace.
News article: "Hillsong writer reveals he's no longer a Christian: I'm genuinely losing my faith."
My comment after reading the article: Maybe he should lose his faith. Perhaps, what he is/was believing isn't true. I am not one to equate someone who says they are "losing" their faith with they had true faith in the first place. Someone needs to ask him, "What is your understanding of the Gospel?" That answer may give clarity to what it is he is believing and it may not be saving faith. When he talks about preachers falling, "contradictions" in the Bible, the lack of miracles, etc., all these things tell me he doesn't even know Jesus to begin with because all of these conclusions he is making have answers. So, just pray for him and do not let your heart be troubled saints.
Q: Are there sins that Jesus did not pay for?
A: The only sin that Jesus didn't die for at the cross was the sin of unbelief in Him. "And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me (John 16:8-9)." Men do not go to Hell because of their sins. They go to Hell because they are spiritually dead to God [and] do not believe in the offer of the restoration of the life of God received through faith in Jesus Christ. The only way a person is not saved is by not accepting Jesus' offer of life. Once they have received the life of God that is when they begin to experience the benefit of the forgiveness Jesus provided by His death. That benefit is that there is no sin that can cause the life of God to leave a believer when they sin because of the eternal redemption of the cross (Hebrews 9:12). That is why we have eternal life. Grace and Peace.
Q: If penal substitution is true, why do I have to ask for forgiveness?
A: You don't. There is nowhere in the New Covenant where a Christian is told to ask forgiveness. In fact, all of your sins were forgiven at the cross. The Bible clearly states that "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them (2 Corinthians 5:19)." I recommend asking yourself some questions:
If you need to ask for forgiveness, what sins is God still remembering and what sacrifice are you going to perform that God requires and accepts given the fact that Hebrews 10:17-18 says, "Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary"?
What blood are you shedding that is acceptable to God since Hebrews 9:22 says, "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness"?
How can you, "Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13)," if you still need to ask for forgiveness for your sins?
Are you saying that you are not blessed because Romans 4:8 says, "Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them”?
Are you believing that your sins cause you to lose fellowship with God when the Bible says, "God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:9)"?
Was the Apostle Paul lying to us when he said that "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39)"?
It is not an act of faith to ask for something you already have received. If you do not believe you have received it, there is something wrong with what you are believing. I advise you to ask God to reteach you His truths about your identity in Christ and be open to changing your mind about everything you've been taught up to this point. It is the only way you will be able to begin to trust the Holy Spirit and let Him guide you from within and lead you into all truth. Grace and Peace, my friend.
I pray these answers were helpful and, at the very least, have sparked interest in you to seek answers to the questions you have about the Christian faith and walking with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Q; Why am I stuck in my sin?
A: From my experience with the sin in my life, I have come to believe that when I sin it is because I am looking for love, acceptance, meaning, and purpose in life from the world rather than from my relationship with Jesus Christ. You will always have some sin in your life. As you focus on your relationship with the Lord, the byproduct will be a diminishing of sin in your life, but you won't completely get rid of the sin until you die and enter eternity. However, be at peace, God is not counting your sin against you. This isn't to excuse it, but to say that nothing is separating you from your God; including your sin. When you sin, I would suggest asking God, "What am I expecting to get from this sin that I am not receiving from you?" Sin begins in the heart. When God starts to do a work in you and change your heart, you won't want to do those sins anymore. However, this takes time. It won't happen overnight. God is patient with you. Grace and Peace.
Q: Who is responsible for our sanctification?
A: God is responsible for my sanctification, not me. I don't get sanctified by how I live. I am sanctified based off of Who lives in me.
"But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God." 1 Corinthians 6:11
"For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified." Hebrews 10:14
Grace and Peace.
Q: Is it a sin to attend more than one denomination?
A: No, it is not a sin. Your church doesn't own you, Jesus does. If they teach that, leave. There is no law or biblical mandate requiring you to attend one particular gathering of Christians or preventing you from visiting multiple denominations. Besides, we are not under the law and even if it was a sin, it was forgiven at the cross, along with all your other sins. Go where you go. The Holy Spirit goes with you. Furthermore, Jesus said, "For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them (Matthew 18:20).” This "gathering" can take place anywhere, regardless of denominational affiliation, and it could be just you and Jesus; that makes up two. Trust Him to speak to you if He believes you should settle in one place. Be well.
Q: Is it okay to be single forever; to be single as long as you live?
A: Yes, it is okay to be "single as long as you live." There is no biblical directive on who stays single, who gets married, etc. Personally, I would ask the Lord what He sees in your circumstances. I am almost 50, single, never been married, and don't have any children. I don't worry about it. If someone comes along great, if not, great. You are a child of God. The Lord doesn't love you based on your relationship status. He loves you based on your relationship status with Him through faith in Jesus Christ. Grace and Peace.
News article: "Hillsong writer reveals he's no longer a Christian: I'm genuinely losing my faith."
My comment after reading the article: Maybe he should lose his faith. Perhaps, what he is/was believing isn't true. I am not one to equate someone who says they are "losing" their faith with they had true faith in the first place. Someone needs to ask him, "What is your understanding of the Gospel?" That answer may give clarity to what it is he is believing and it may not be saving faith. When he talks about preachers falling, "contradictions" in the Bible, the lack of miracles, etc., all these things tell me he doesn't even know Jesus to begin with because all of these conclusions he is making have answers. So, just pray for him and do not let your heart be troubled saints.
Q: Are there sins that Jesus did not pay for?
A: The only sin that Jesus didn't die for at the cross was the sin of unbelief in Him. "And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me (John 16:8-9)." Men do not go to Hell because of their sins. They go to Hell because they are spiritually dead to God [and] do not believe in the offer of the restoration of the life of God received through faith in Jesus Christ. The only way a person is not saved is by not accepting Jesus' offer of life. Once they have received the life of God that is when they begin to experience the benefit of the forgiveness Jesus provided by His death. That benefit is that there is no sin that can cause the life of God to leave a believer when they sin because of the eternal redemption of the cross (Hebrews 9:12). That is why we have eternal life. Grace and Peace.
Q: If penal substitution is true, why do I have to ask for forgiveness?
A: You don't. There is nowhere in the New Covenant where a Christian is told to ask forgiveness. In fact, all of your sins were forgiven at the cross. The Bible clearly states that "God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them (2 Corinthians 5:19)." I recommend asking yourself some questions:
If you need to ask for forgiveness, what sins is God still remembering and what sacrifice are you going to perform that God requires and accepts given the fact that Hebrews 10:17-18 says, "Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.” And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary"?
What blood are you shedding that is acceptable to God since Hebrews 9:22 says, "In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness"?
How can you, "Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13)," if you still need to ask for forgiveness for your sins?
Are you saying that you are not blessed because Romans 4:8 says, "Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them”?
Are you believing that your sins cause you to lose fellowship with God when the Bible says, "God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord (1 Corinthians 1:9)"?
Was the Apostle Paul lying to us when he said that "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:38-39)"?
It is not an act of faith to ask for something you already have received. If you do not believe you have received it, there is something wrong with what you are believing. I advise you to ask God to reteach you His truths about your identity in Christ and be open to changing your mind about everything you've been taught up to this point. It is the only way you will be able to begin to trust the Holy Spirit and let Him guide you from within and lead you into all truth. Grace and Peace, my friend.
I pray these answers were helpful and, at the very least, have sparked interest in you to seek answers to the questions you have about the Christian faith and walking with the Lord Jesus Christ.
Sunday, August 19, 2018
I Sanctified You
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5
There is no other word in Christianity that is blown more out of proportion than the word, sanctified, or sanctification. Among Christian theologians, sanctification is described as "a state of separation unto God; all believers enter into this state when they are born of God." In layman's terms, it means that when a person accepts Jesus Christ as their savior, they are set apart from the world and placed into the family of God. It is akin to a family using fine China or porcelain dishes on a special occasion or a man putting on a tuxedo for an upscale event. These items have been "set apart" for a particular use. Unfortunately, instead of leaving this definition alone, many Christians have complicated sanctification to the point that it has taken on a life of its own. For example, in order to advance their theology, some Christians will break sanctification down into at least three parts; positional, progressive and ultimate sanctification. Positional sanctification, as was just mentioned, "is the believer's unchanging status or position before the Lord God that never changes. Every true believer has been set apart to God." Progressive sanctification is said to be "a lifelong daily process whereby the Holy Spirit deals with our sins and growth in righteousness conforming us to the image of God." And, finally, ultimate sanctification is when we are glorified with God in Heaven or as one Christian says; it "will be our ultimate separation from sin, a total sanctification in every regard." I agree that Christians are sanctified, or set apart, at the moment of salvation and that as we grow and mature in our faith, we should see a diminishing of sin in our life. But I don't agree that there are three types of sanctification or that we "progress" in our sanctification. In my humble opinion, to break down sanctification into three parts is just another way to try and introduce works into the life of the believer and deny the finished work of Jesus Christ on behalf of every believer. Otherwise, how else would one say, "Prior to salvation, our behavior bore witness to our standing in the world in separation from God, but now our behavior should bear witness to our standing before God in separation from the world. Little by little, every day, “those who are being sanctified” are becoming more like Christ"? In order to insert works into the Christian life, the primary focus of life must be on our behavior. And in order to get somebody to behave properly, a focus on sin is necessary. You have to have something be "sanctified" from in order to justify the "process" of sanctification and the works you must obey in order to modify your behavior.
However, the truth is that our sins are no longer an issue between us and God. "For sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law (Romans 5:13)." The death of Jesus Christ took away our sins. Therefore, if God is not judging us on the basis of our sins, there is no law to have to obey in order to deal with our sins. This, in turn, robs the positional, progressive and ultimate sanctification crowd of their desire to get Christians to behave properly. Obviously, Christians still sin and sin is never okay. But, the diminishing of sin is a byproduct of a Christian getting to know their God, through the indwelling Holy Spirit meeting the deepest needs of their heart, not from their focus on getting their flesh to behave. In fact, subjecting ourselves to laws designed to modify our flesh will have the opposite effect of what is intended. The Bible says, "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law (1 Corinthians 15:56)" and Paul said, "but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died (Romans 7:9)." The exact thing we are told will "sanctify" us and get us to be "more like Christ" will only prove how unlike Jesus we truly are. Furthermore, the goal of the Christian life is not to be more like Christ. The Fall of Man, the one act of disobedience that allowed sin to enter the world, was a direct result of Adam and Even desiring to be like God! The devil deceived Eve by saying to her, "For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:5).” In order to "be like God," you must know good and evil. What defines good and evil? It is the law. The same law that Christians are not under. "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace (Romans 6:14)." If you want sin to be your master, then attempt to "sanctify" yourself by trying to rid yourself of sin. You will fail miserably. The only way to live the Christian life is by acknowledging that you are forgiven of all your sins so that you can learn to rest in and depend on your God, in Christ, to live out the His life in and through you. At the beginning of the book of Jeremiah, we read were God set apart Jeremiah from the womb. God was the one who sanctified him so he could live out the plan God had for his life; to be a "prophet to the nations." Jeremiah's life was one of discovering all that God had already planned out for him. Similarly, as Christians, we have been set apart from the moment we were born again through faith in Jesus Christ. Our lives are ones of discovering all that we have already been given by God as an inheritance because of what Jesus has done for us. We don't spend our lives trying to become more sanctified in an effort to be like God. We spend our lives resting in what God has given us because we are already sanctified. This allows us to focus on what God has planned for our lives; being ordained as "prophets to the nations."
There is no other word in Christianity that is blown more out of proportion than the word, sanctified, or sanctification. Among Christian theologians, sanctification is described as "a state of separation unto God; all believers enter into this state when they are born of God." In layman's terms, it means that when a person accepts Jesus Christ as their savior, they are set apart from the world and placed into the family of God. It is akin to a family using fine China or porcelain dishes on a special occasion or a man putting on a tuxedo for an upscale event. These items have been "set apart" for a particular use. Unfortunately, instead of leaving this definition alone, many Christians have complicated sanctification to the point that it has taken on a life of its own. For example, in order to advance their theology, some Christians will break sanctification down into at least three parts; positional, progressive and ultimate sanctification. Positional sanctification, as was just mentioned, "is the believer's unchanging status or position before the Lord God that never changes. Every true believer has been set apart to God." Progressive sanctification is said to be "a lifelong daily process whereby the Holy Spirit deals with our sins and growth in righteousness conforming us to the image of God." And, finally, ultimate sanctification is when we are glorified with God in Heaven or as one Christian says; it "will be our ultimate separation from sin, a total sanctification in every regard." I agree that Christians are sanctified, or set apart, at the moment of salvation and that as we grow and mature in our faith, we should see a diminishing of sin in our life. But I don't agree that there are three types of sanctification or that we "progress" in our sanctification. In my humble opinion, to break down sanctification into three parts is just another way to try and introduce works into the life of the believer and deny the finished work of Jesus Christ on behalf of every believer. Otherwise, how else would one say, "Prior to salvation, our behavior bore witness to our standing in the world in separation from God, but now our behavior should bear witness to our standing before God in separation from the world. Little by little, every day, “those who are being sanctified” are becoming more like Christ"? In order to insert works into the Christian life, the primary focus of life must be on our behavior. And in order to get somebody to behave properly, a focus on sin is necessary. You have to have something be "sanctified" from in order to justify the "process" of sanctification and the works you must obey in order to modify your behavior.
However, the truth is that our sins are no longer an issue between us and God. "For sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law (Romans 5:13)." The death of Jesus Christ took away our sins. Therefore, if God is not judging us on the basis of our sins, there is no law to have to obey in order to deal with our sins. This, in turn, robs the positional, progressive and ultimate sanctification crowd of their desire to get Christians to behave properly. Obviously, Christians still sin and sin is never okay. But, the diminishing of sin is a byproduct of a Christian getting to know their God, through the indwelling Holy Spirit meeting the deepest needs of their heart, not from their focus on getting their flesh to behave. In fact, subjecting ourselves to laws designed to modify our flesh will have the opposite effect of what is intended. The Bible says, "The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law (1 Corinthians 15:56)" and Paul said, "but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died (Romans 7:9)." The exact thing we are told will "sanctify" us and get us to be "more like Christ" will only prove how unlike Jesus we truly are. Furthermore, the goal of the Christian life is not to be more like Christ. The Fall of Man, the one act of disobedience that allowed sin to enter the world, was a direct result of Adam and Even desiring to be like God! The devil deceived Eve by saying to her, "For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil (Genesis 3:5).” In order to "be like God," you must know good and evil. What defines good and evil? It is the law. The same law that Christians are not under. "For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace (Romans 6:14)." If you want sin to be your master, then attempt to "sanctify" yourself by trying to rid yourself of sin. You will fail miserably. The only way to live the Christian life is by acknowledging that you are forgiven of all your sins so that you can learn to rest in and depend on your God, in Christ, to live out the His life in and through you. At the beginning of the book of Jeremiah, we read were God set apart Jeremiah from the womb. God was the one who sanctified him so he could live out the plan God had for his life; to be a "prophet to the nations." Jeremiah's life was one of discovering all that God had already planned out for him. Similarly, as Christians, we have been set apart from the moment we were born again through faith in Jesus Christ. Our lives are ones of discovering all that we have already been given by God as an inheritance because of what Jesus has done for us. We don't spend our lives trying to become more sanctified in an effort to be like God. We spend our lives resting in what God has given us because we are already sanctified. This allows us to focus on what God has planned for our lives; being ordained as "prophets to the nations."
Sunday, August 13, 2017
Weeding the Lawn and Sanctification
"So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want." Galatians 5:16-17
When I lived in California, we used to have to weed our lawn frequently. We'd get out there, and we'd pull them and pull them. And if you didn't get them by the root, they'd grow back. Sometimes it seemed like they grew back anyway. And it's funny how the weeds seem to grow so much faster than the plants you really want in your yard. If you want to maintain a good yard or garden, how long will you have to pull weeds? Will one weeding a season do the trick? No! You're going to have to plan on pulling weeds for the rest of your life. I was getting pretty tired of continually weeding, and one day a neighbor came along, looked at my lawn and said, "Bob, why don't you grow some good grass -- that'll take care of those weeds." And he was right. Here's what happens when you grow good grass --it chokes out the weeds. They die off, replaced by the lush green grass. In the spiritual life, this preoccupation with weeds is desert religion -- it's a continual preoccupation with sin -- and it's a backbreaking, never-ending job. But to be preoccupied with growing good grass is like walking in grace and freedom. The goal of the Christian life is not to pull weeds -- to stop sinning. God calls us to walk by faith in Him. As we do, the result is that we will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. The weeds are crowded out! So what do you want to do, pull weeds the rest of your life--or grow grass? To be in bondage -- or to walk in freedom?
"For this is the will of God, your sanctification..." 1 Thessalonians 4:3
"Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." John 17:17
The word sanctified comes from the same root word as "holy.' It means to be "set apart." It's not - as we often think - full of negative connotations, such as, "I'm sanctified and that means I've got my Bible under my arm and I walk with my head tilted to one side and kind of grin and act real holy with people." That's not what sanctified means at all. It's an extremely practical word. Sanctification means to be set apart for the specific purpose for which something is created. For example, if you're wearing shoes today, you're "sanctifying" your shoes. You're using shoes for the purpose for which they were created. Shoes were made for your feet. If you've got them on your feet, you're sanctifying your shoes. If you were to hang them on your ear as a new kind of earring, you wouldn't be sanctifying them. If you wear eyeglasses, you're sanctifying them as you wear them. You're using them for the purpose for which they were created. They were created to help you see. You've got them on -- you're seeing better--you're sanctifying your glasses. If you stir your coffee with them, you're not sanctifying your glasses. If you're wearing a watch and you glance at the time, in so doing you're sanctifying your watch. If you use your watch to crack peanuts, you're not sanctifying your watch. When you're sanctified by faith, it means that as a person has exercised faith in Jesus, you've been set apart from the entire world that does not believe in Jesus. It doesn't mean that you wear your hair in a bun. It means that you've been set apart by God because of your relationship with Jesus. It means that you've been set apart for the intelligent purpose for which you were created--to be available to the living God for Him to live His life through you. And yet because we don't believe that God has done His work completely, we continue to try to progressively sanctify ourselves by the way we dress, by the way we act, and by the way we speak. We make ourselves obnoxious by trying to improve upon what Jesus has already accomplished. The very moment you stepped out of Adam and into Christ, and Christ stepped out of heaven and into you, you were set apart, sanctified, from the rest of the world. So don't be afraid of the word sanctification. It's a wonderful word that confirms you're being used for the exact purpose for which you were created.
(Grace Stories, Bob George)
When I lived in California, we used to have to weed our lawn frequently. We'd get out there, and we'd pull them and pull them. And if you didn't get them by the root, they'd grow back. Sometimes it seemed like they grew back anyway. And it's funny how the weeds seem to grow so much faster than the plants you really want in your yard. If you want to maintain a good yard or garden, how long will you have to pull weeds? Will one weeding a season do the trick? No! You're going to have to plan on pulling weeds for the rest of your life. I was getting pretty tired of continually weeding, and one day a neighbor came along, looked at my lawn and said, "Bob, why don't you grow some good grass -- that'll take care of those weeds." And he was right. Here's what happens when you grow good grass --it chokes out the weeds. They die off, replaced by the lush green grass. In the spiritual life, this preoccupation with weeds is desert religion -- it's a continual preoccupation with sin -- and it's a backbreaking, never-ending job. But to be preoccupied with growing good grass is like walking in grace and freedom. The goal of the Christian life is not to pull weeds -- to stop sinning. God calls us to walk by faith in Him. As we do, the result is that we will not fulfill the desires of the flesh. The weeds are crowded out! So what do you want to do, pull weeds the rest of your life--or grow grass? To be in bondage -- or to walk in freedom?
"For this is the will of God, your sanctification..." 1 Thessalonians 4:3
"Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." John 17:17
The word sanctified comes from the same root word as "holy.' It means to be "set apart." It's not - as we often think - full of negative connotations, such as, "I'm sanctified and that means I've got my Bible under my arm and I walk with my head tilted to one side and kind of grin and act real holy with people." That's not what sanctified means at all. It's an extremely practical word. Sanctification means to be set apart for the specific purpose for which something is created. For example, if you're wearing shoes today, you're "sanctifying" your shoes. You're using shoes for the purpose for which they were created. Shoes were made for your feet. If you've got them on your feet, you're sanctifying your shoes. If you were to hang them on your ear as a new kind of earring, you wouldn't be sanctifying them. If you wear eyeglasses, you're sanctifying them as you wear them. You're using them for the purpose for which they were created. They were created to help you see. You've got them on -- you're seeing better--you're sanctifying your glasses. If you stir your coffee with them, you're not sanctifying your glasses. If you're wearing a watch and you glance at the time, in so doing you're sanctifying your watch. If you use your watch to crack peanuts, you're not sanctifying your watch. When you're sanctified by faith, it means that as a person has exercised faith in Jesus, you've been set apart from the entire world that does not believe in Jesus. It doesn't mean that you wear your hair in a bun. It means that you've been set apart by God because of your relationship with Jesus. It means that you've been set apart for the intelligent purpose for which you were created--to be available to the living God for Him to live His life through you. And yet because we don't believe that God has done His work completely, we continue to try to progressively sanctify ourselves by the way we dress, by the way we act, and by the way we speak. We make ourselves obnoxious by trying to improve upon what Jesus has already accomplished. The very moment you stepped out of Adam and into Christ, and Christ stepped out of heaven and into you, you were set apart, sanctified, from the rest of the world. So don't be afraid of the word sanctification. It's a wonderful word that confirms you're being used for the exact purpose for which you were created.
(Grace Stories, Bob George)
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