SANCTIFICATION

"For by one offering He has perfected forever them that are sanctified" (Heb10:14)

Devotion 1 of

INTRODUCTION

The subject of sanctification has long been debated by the religious community. Some have chosen to neglect the word because of its practical implications. Others have embraced human conceptions designed by our adversary to thrust people into a state of spiritual jeopardy. One of these doctrines teaches that sanctification is a point in time--while yet in the body-- when the child of God no longer sins. This doctrine causes people under its power to fall into many hurtful snares. Honest hearts, readily acknowledging their continued struggle with sin, are brought to think they are not saved at all. Thus their religion becomes their chief handicap. All of the fanciful explanations in the world cannot change the affirmations, "I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me" (Rom 7;14), and "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). Our view of sanctification must not contradict the clear affirmations of God's Word. A proper perception of it will blend harmoniously with everything else God has declared.

Others choose to approach sanctification with Pharisaic rigidity. To them, flawless obedience and consistent conduct are a matter of legislation, to be enforced by self-appointed leaders. Grace is not common to such, and holiness is an end of itself, with no other objective. This is not the Scriptural representation of sanctification. The fruit of such an appeal is commentary enough on its wrongness. Once embraced this view contributes to religious pride, and pushes one into dishonesty and surface thinking.

An adequate understanding of Bible words cannot be obtained lexically, or by an appeal to word definitions as ordinarily perceived. Such definitions are the outer court of understanding, and not the temple of it. While such approaches are not to be disdained, they are rudimentary, and rank far behind the inspired manner of defining words.

Though much neglected in our time, Moses and the prophets provide the nomenclature for Divine communication. In precept and historical record, they furnish a means through which "sanctification" can be grasped. The language that makes God's "great salvation" understandable is developed in the law and the prophets. They employed Divinely inspired words, giving them unique significance, through which key concepts were unfolded. The comprehension of these thoughts is requisite to the propagation and understanding of every facet of redemption.

In this series, I will appeal to the doctrine of Scripture to define and enlarge upon the word "sanctification." It is a large word, and cannot be stuffed into a lifeless academic definition.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I desire to comprehend what You mean by "sanctification." Open my heart and understanding to understand what You have declared on this matter.

-- TOMORROW: GOD SANCTIFIES THE SABBATH DAY --