THE BELIEVER'S SANCTIFICATION Pt.1
1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.
Another important theme in Christian doctrine that we must understand is sanctification. The teaching on justification won't be balanced if we stop there without considering what it is to be sanctified. The word "Sanctify" is synonymous with the word "Cleansing", "Holy" and "saint". What is the meaning of sanctification? In simple and unambiguous term, to sanctify is to set apart. Further, we can say that sanctification is a setting apart to and for a sacred purpose: “Sanctify to Me every firstborn, the first offspring of every womb among the sons of Israel, both of man and beast; it belongs to Me”( Exodus 13:2).
Sanctification carries another meaning which is very important. Because of the presence of evil, sin and wickedness in our world, sanctification is not only a separation TO God but separation FROM that which is evil, sinful and unclean. An illustration of this in the Old Testament is found in 2 Chronicles 29:5: "and said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place"( 2 Chronicles 29:5 KJV). Also, In the new testament, apostle Paul enjoined same: "Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse( sanctify) ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God"( 2 Corinthians 7:1 KJV).
Justification is God's duty, you have no role in it other than your faith in the finished work of Christ. However, in sanctification, you have a great role to play because that's how you can live out or manifest the Christ life. We cannot know that you're truly a child of God by claiming you're justified until we see the fruits and evidence of a sanctified life; a life set apart to God from sin and corruption of this world. Beware of preachers and teachers that tells you that how you live your life doesn't matter after you're justified. Now that you're justified, sanctification is God's will for you: "It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control your own body in a way that is holy and honorable,"(1Thessalonians 4:3-4 NIV).
Father, I receive the grace to live a sanctified life in Jesus name.