- (Note: This article was written in reference to a sermon on Sanctification which had as its application the necessity of a child of God, who has been sanctified by God, to live a life of consecration and holiness. SC)
My sermon last Sunday morning, on Sanctification, was very well received. I appreciate so much the willingness of all to listen carefully, and receive the words spoken. There are many places where such a lesson would not have been well received. The brethren here are to be commended when they hear the truth, and respond so well.
What I speak of is initial response. No doubt the principles established from God’s word touched a cord in many hearts. It is a wonderful call of God, “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 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” (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:2).
What is more difficult is the continued application. I have no doubt that we all left the building last Sunday morning intending to live lives more consecrated to the Master. We intended to be more careful in the language we used, the programs we watched on TV, the way we looked at, spoke to, and behaved ourselves toward others. Our lives were going to be fine examples of lives dedicated to God, cf. Romans 12:1-2.
But how have we done in the past week? Have we thought about the principles espoused when different situations came up during the week’s progression?. Can we say that our intentions, once so promising, remain intact? It is the continued and steadfast application of the call to holiness which will secure for us the heavenly home. We must not falter in this effort, but rather press on. The apostle Paul’s questions in the quote from I Corinthians are rhetorical. Righteousness has NO fellowship with unrighteousness. Light has NO communion with Darkness. Christ has NO concord with Belial. Therefore, those who are God’s must also live lives of righteousness. Not just today and tomorrow, but everyday!
The easiest way to maintain holiness in life is to contemplate and center your thoughts only on that which is righteous and holy. Take the apostle Paul’s advice.
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, what- soever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you” (Philippians 4:8-9)
