14th April, 2022.

THE BELIEVER'S SANCTIFICATION Pt.3

1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.

WORKING OUT YOUR SANTIFICATION(A)

Previously, we affirmed from scriptures that we are sanctified by virtue of our position in Christ. It is a done deal because of the finished work of Christ on the cross not because of anything we did. God worked it in by Himself: "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure"(Philippians 2:13 KJV). However, there's another side of the coin on thesame issue. In several portions of scripture, we were enjoined to live a sanctified life. That is, work "out" what God worked "in": "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12 KJV). This brings us to the practical side of the issue under consideration.

God has always played His part but we often fail to play our part as we ought to. Paul said "God is working IN us" and that we should work out what has been worked in. How can we work out sanctification or we put it straight, how can we live a sanctified life? The starting point is to be cleansed by the blood of the lamb and to be separated from filth: "but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin"(1 John 1:7 KJV). Also consider this: "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).

Paul gave a straight and clear step on how to live a sanctified life in his writings to Timothy: "If a man therefore PURGE himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work"(2 Timothy 2:21 KJV). The word 'purge' is from the Greek "Ekkathairo". It means to clean out or remove impurities. That's how it works. To live a sanctified life, you need to "remove" some friends, habits and attitudes from your life. Some books, music and movies should be removed from your library, phones and gadgets. The practical side of sanctification will not be done by God but you. If you desire to please God, fish out those things the Spirit of God has been pointing your attention to and remove them. You have to be intentional about it, work out what God has worked in. His grace is available.