Category: Sanctification

We are called by God. We have been chosen for salvation. We are the elect. Ephesians 1 tells us this choosing took place before the world was founded.

We are creatures with free will. God calls us to believe and obey the gospel. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).

These two truths must be resolved for us to have a proper understanding of scripture. Paul does this in 2 Thessalonians. The explanation is a that we are predestined as a collective or a group, not individually. God chose those who responded positively to the gospel of Christ. Our free will allows us to determine whether we will be in that group or not. Also, it determines whether we will stay in that group once we begin our Christian walk. Consider Paul’s words:

“…God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, to which He called you by our gospel, for the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

(2 Thessalonians 2:13b-3:1)

The chosen, the sanctified, the elect are those who believe the truth. They are called by the gospel of Jesus Christ. So we must ask, when the gospel calls will you listen and obey?

In Ephesians 4, the apostle Paul described the characteristic walk of worldly people. He refers to them here as “the rest of the Gentiles” (17). For the Jew, Gentiles were considered to be unclean (cf. Acts 10:16). God declared that under the new covenant the important thing was not your nationality, but whether you have faith in Jesus Christ. “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God” (Romans 2:28-29). Therefore Paul’s reference here to the Gentiles is not to the physical Gentile but the man who has not been washed or sanctified before Him.

His description of them? They were futile in their thinking, with darkened understanding. They had given themselves over to lewdness, uncleanness and greediness.

This type of behavior is antithetical to being a Christian, an inward Jew. This is why in verse 20 of Ephesians 4, Paul wrote, “But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.” Christ teaches us that when we are separated to God through faith, we are to live our lives as a “new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness” (24). Learn from Him!

The imagery of the vessels can be explained simply. In the Lord’s church, He has the right to expect us to be honorable in our service. Unfortunately, some fail Him in this. They are described as vessels of wood and clay, rather than gold and silver.

Can you imagine being in the Lord’s house, and dishonoring yourself? Some do! Thus his warning which includes the following: Sinful lust (referred to here as youthful lusts), and participating in foolish and ignorant disputes, causing strife and division among the people of God.

The key is to be honorable. This is done by cleansing ourselves from any dishonor. For God’s child, knowing that sin is possible for any of us, we must repent and pray God’s forgiveness when we dishonor ourselves (cf. 1 John 9-10).

Here is what God expects, that we be “a vessel of honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (9). Are you sanctified? Are you prepared?

We have had the concept of sanctification as a particular touchstone in our preaching the last several months.  The sanctification of God’s people is a primary truth which not only impacts our redemption, but also our responsibilities to God and man.

In Hebrews 10, the writer takes time to establish Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth,  as  prophesied in Psalm 40:6-8. “Sacrifice and offering You did not desire; My ears You have opened. Burnt offering and sin offering You did not require. Then I said, ‘Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me. I delight to do Your will, O my God, And Your law is within my heart.’” In verses 8-10, the Hebrew writer comments on the meaning of the Psalm as it pertains to Christ.  This serves as the grist for these thoughts. Continue reading “Another Point on Sanctification” →

The principle of sanctification is examined as it pertains to the Christian’s involvement in recreational drug use.  God’s call to holiness precludes our involvement!

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A sermon detailing God’s plan for human sexuality, the violations of that Pattern, and what God expects of His people. 

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A discussion of the fact that truth comes from God, and the Devil is the father of lies. Therefore, if we are to be children of God, holy and sanctified, we must emulate God in this.

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The Bible’s call to sanctification requires for the elect to advocate and help the poor, helpless and vulnerable.  The Bible also reveals that God considers the unborn to be a human child.

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The concept of Sanctification requires that we as Christians address issues of Gender in accord with His will, rather than societal influences.

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The concept of Sanctification requires us to be godly and circumspect in our language.

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“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God” (1 Thessalonians 4:1).

The phrase “abound more and more” indicates an excess or overflow. In effect, that Christians, learning what God requires of us, should work to grow and grow in these things to the point that they are immeasurable.  Abound in what? Anything that pleases God!

In the previous chapter Paul exhorted the Thessalonians to “abound in love to one another and to all” (3:12).  After these words in (4:1), he includes as an aspect of pleasing God to be sanctified. This means to have a life that is characterized as righteous or holy.

Specifically, he writes, “that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor” (3).  Such a call to purity and celibacy outside of marriage (cf. Hebrews 13:4) is mostly ignored in our day but has great importance placed upon it by God.

Any type of sexual activity outside of  marriage between a man and woman is NOT abounding more and more in pleasing God!

God’s call for his people to be pure and holy is one of the most powerful arguments in God’s word for modest dress in the Christian.

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In Zechariah 3:1-5 we see a vision delivered from God via Zechariah to the remnant of Israel. In it the present High Priest, Joshua, received cleansing as Satan, the adversary and accuser of mankind, stood by. The vision is not easy to fully interpret, but there are certain helpful truths that clearly present themselves.

First, understand that Satan is our personal opponent and seeks our eternal destruction (cf. Job 1:7-12). We are always to resist him through righteousness. “Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

Second, understand that Satan has no power over God. God alone is sovereign and supreme. Like any other created being, Satan is subject to God and His judgment.  As the text here shows, God rebuked Satan, and promised the redemption and restoration of His people despite Satan’s efforts. (cf. Amos 4:11).

Third and finally, consider the wonderful nature and extent of God’s cleansing. Without God’s mercy in sending his Son, our sins defile us. “And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags…” (Isaiah 64:6). The High Priest’s filthy garments were replaced with rich robes, and a clean turban was put on his head.

When we through faith in Christ respond to God, all of our filthiness is taken away!

In discussing the characteristics of the old man of sin, which accurately described the Colossians at one time, the apostle then told them in Colossians 3:9-10, “Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him.”

The old man is described  as one guilty of:  fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, covetousness, disobedience, anger, wrath, blasphemy, filthy language, and as seen in verse 9, lying. Continue reading “The New Man Compared to the Old” →