Sanctification takes a lifetime. The prophets showed that this belonging to Yahweh demanded righteousness. God also used Cyrus, a pagan ruler, to discipline Israel ( Isa 45:1 ). Have faith Man of God, I know you have faith in our God, and I know sometimes when you are facing a challenge you ask yourself if you’ll ever receive your breakthrough. What people think of us when they see our actions is what we might think we are truly like and it’s probably the way people think we are. Healing Read them in the archive below. Yahweh's holiness is seen in His might, His manifested glory; it is that before which peoples tremble, which makes the nations dread (Exodus 15:11-18; compare 1 Samuel 6:20; Psalms 68:35; 89:7; 99:2,3). Those are all the things that he did and Joseph did too. Jude said that, “Scripture was once for all delivered to the Saints.” And when it was delivered it was done. ( Gen 3:9 ). Even in cases when believers differ in this matter, Paul urges all to live each day for the Lord ( Rom 14:5-12 ) for he is the "substance" ( Col 2:16-17 ). How is it possible to become sanctified? God is separate, distinct, other. There should be noticeable differences in a person’s life that are tangible evidences of growth. Sanctification is applied justification. The Scripture, however, is largely the story of how God wants to use willing "vessels." Human beings are like God in their stewardship over creation ( Gen 1:26-31 ). It is this formal usage without moral implication that explains such a passage as Genesis 38:21. He has the Spirit who has the qualities of Christ. For example, God commanded the nation of Israel, "consecrate to me every firstborn male" ( Exod 13:2 ). The real hallowing of our life can come in no other way. This is the regular Old Testament usage and is most common in the New Testament. In this light we read Ephesians 4:1, "Walk worthily of the calling wherewith ye were called." Yahweh has been profaned in the eyes of the nations through Israel's defeat and captivity. It is legalism when one obeys in order to glorify self before God or others ( John 5:44 ). Not giving up, Pastor Jack! That’s why the Bible also refers to sanctification as a practical experience of our separation unto God. Bibliography Information The confusion over sanctification is that many groups have wrongly defined “sanctify” to mean “eradicate the sin nature,” or to gain a position where it is no longer possible to sin. Human beings are "made holy" through Christ's work. Legalism threatens sanctification by distorting the biblical teaching about the Law to the opposite extreme. It is only as we walk by the Spirit that this becomes powerful in overcoming the lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:16; compare Galatians 5:25). It is no formal belonging, no external surrender. Thus what it means to belong to God (holiness, sanctification) depends upon the nature of the God to whom man belongs. The meaning of that surrender is ethical; it is opening the life to definite moral realities and powers, to love, meekness, gentleness, humility, reverence, purity, the passion for righteousness, to that which words cannot analyze but which we know as the Spirit of Christ. You mentioned to ‘dig deeper to find what God has called me for and to find purpose in Jesus’ Name.’ That was a beautiful prayer, Nozipho! The gift in each case becomes the task, and indeed becomes real and effective only in this activity. Is the Increase in Violence a Sign of the End Times? It is applied to Yahweh, and it means the assertion of Yahweh's power in Israel's triumph and the conquest of her foes (Ezekiel 20:41; 28:25; 36:23; 38:16; 39:27). Perhaps I came on too strong? Similar prophecies were delivered in and around Kansas City and other churches and incredibly, one church at least, actually responded by dropping its ties with the Assemblies of God and aligning with the Kansas City Fellowship. That is holy which belongs to Yahweh. You wrote that it takes “a daily, continuous dedication to the Great Reality, the Presence of God in Christ through meditation and prayer” which is so very true my friend. It is nothing less than the constant in-forming of the life of the inner spirit and outer deed with the Spirit of Christ until we, "speaking truth in love, may grow up in all things into him, who is the head" (Ephesians 4:15). Very suggestive is the transitive use of the word in the phrase, "to sanctify Yahweh." As for giving that is something like being a cheerful giver and giving a tithe for example to the church or helping the poor but also giving of your time, talents and not just your treasure. I thank God that He is patient with me in this process. God said through Peter, "in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord" ( 1 Peter 3:15 ). Jack, I do have a church that I am part of here at home. I love the reference to Joseph, very good example. By adding to these two the evident fact that the Christian believers seen in the New Testament are far from the attainment of such Christian perfection, some writers have assumed to have the foundation here for the doctrine that the state of complete holiness of life is a special experience in the Christian life wrought in a definite moment of time. All sanctified in the first sense are used by God in the second sense. Life is not fair and during such times our growing in holiness or sanctification can be increased. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail, Previous post: What Does The Bible Say About Death? These desires, however, need to be continually prioritized according to God's purposes ( Matt 6:33 ). Just because I can go and sit in a garage doesn’t make me a car. So completely is his life filled by this fellowship that he can say, "It is no longer I that live, but Christ liveth in me" (Galatians 2:20). Only Christ could take away sin, "perfecting for all time those who are being sanctified" ( Heb 10:14 , marginal reading ). survey had 85 statements! The prevailing meaning is that which we found in the Old Testament. For ye know what commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. Thank you both Robert and Pam. The call to sanctification reminds the Christian that he or she cannot presume upon justification. It is the yielding of the life in its passions and purposes, in its deepest affections and highest powers, to be ruled by a new spirit (Ephesians 4:13,10,23,24,32; compare Romans 12:1). Ezekiel brings this out most clearly. "International Standard Bible Encyclopedia". There is a two-fold danger here, from which these writers have not escaped. This deepens into Paul's thought of the mystical relation with Christ. Hello, Pastor Jack! The moral imperfections which cling to him he feels to be sins, which he laments and strives to overcome. (By all means, see "The Epistles of John," Cambridge Bible for Schools, etc., 17-21.). The test itself is free and at: http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_MYCS_030526_Spiritual_Gifts_Survey.pdf. In answer to this we must first discriminate between the ideal and the empirical with Paul. The ethical is not wanting at the beginning, but the supremacy of the moral and spiritual over against the formal, the ritual, the ceremonial, the national, is the clear direction in which the movement as a whole tends. Sanctification According to God's Redemptive Purposes. What is really pleasing to God is when we do justly when no one is watching and still do so when we are suffering unjustly. Sanctification is then the matter of a life and not of a moment. I told the devil that no matter what he throws my way FORWARD I WILL GO. Sanctification is the Christian's growth in grace. There’s no hurry in answering me, I’m more than aware how busy you are! Negatively, sanctification is the cleansing or purifying from sin ( Isa 66:17 ; 1 Cor 6:11 ; Eph 5:26 ; Titus 3:5-6 ; Heb 9:13 ). With this identification of the Spirit and the Christ in mind, we can better understand the passages in which Paul brings out the relation of Christ to the sanctification of the believer. Learn more: https://www.crossway.org/books/sanctification-tpb/ By its very nature justification does not have a progressive character. Rom 6:1-11 ; Col 3:1-4 ). Practical Sanctification. I replied to him that God was a Spirit made man through His Son, Jesus. Now that’s a novel approach to church growth. Clicked on their site and read the article. The fall plunged the human race and the universe into a state of dysfunction ( Gen 3:14-19 ). I simply copy catted Ruth Ward Heflin—an amazing women of God (I encourage you to read some of her books of you haven’t) and it worked. The clear recognition of the personal and vital character of sanctification will help us with another problem. Jesus was the fulfillment of the Old Testament offices of prophet, priest, and king. Sanctification, therefore, is exclusively the work of God in grace ( Lev 21:8 ; Ezek 20:12 ; Heb 2:11 ; Jude 1 ). Key Concepts. The meaning of sanctification. If our trust and faith is in our self, in our own works, then we will fail miserably. Hello Nozipho. Yet they would not come to Christ ( John 5:39 ). Next to the Pharaoh, this was probably the greatest position of power in all of Egypt. Do you have a local church home? Let me know if this works. What gifts do you have and how did you realize them if you do not mind me asking. Israel was ever conscious of the "sanctuary" (hagion [a&gion])the place where God resided and which he loved ( Mal 2:11 ). We need to pray for her salvation. 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