SANCTIFICATION

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

Devotion 8 of 16

WE ARE SANCTIFIED--NOW!

If you are to have confidence before God, you must realize that you have already been sanctified- -set apart for God's glory. You have been dedicated to the work of the Lord, designated as a co-laborer with God. From one point of view, this has already been accomplished. The Word of God is clear on this point. This is a marvelous work! Because it is declared or expounded so rarely, we must gird up the loins of our minds to appropriate its power. We are now at the very center of the Gospel of Christ. This is the holy of holies of eternal purpose.

We ARE sanctified

"And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which ARE SANCTIFIED" (Acts 20:32). How wonderful it would be if words like this were spoken often to the body of Christ. They are much better than berating those who are weak and unlearned--a common plight in the contemporary church. Observe that those in Christ are described as "all them that ARE sanctified." The work described has, in this case, already taken place!

"To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which ARE SANCTIFIED by faith that is in me" (Acts 26:18). Faith is the means of being sanctified in this judicial, but effectual, sense. The acceptance of the testimony God has given of His Son sets one apart for Divine use. This acceptance necessarily involves obedience, which is the appointed and reasonable expression of faith. Where there is no obedience, there is no faith! Where there is no faith, there is no sanctification.

"Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours" (1 Cor 1:2). The people of God are to consider themselves part of a large body of people that ARE sanctified. They have already been set apart for God's glory and use. The lack of awareness of this reality (or unbelief) is the only hindrance to the appropriation of its power. The apprehension of this truth is also devastating to sectarianism.

"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye ARE SANCTIFIED, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God" (1 Cor 6:11). Here sanctification is equated with deliverance from involvement in sin. When an individual is justified, at least three primary things occur. First, his sins are utterly removed, and he is rendered guiltless before God. Second, he is delivered from the power of darkness, so that Satan can no longer take him captive "at his will" (Col 1:13; 2 Tim 2:24- 26). Third, he is placed in the "kingdom of God's dear Son" (Col 1:13b). Sanctification, from this view, is an aspect of salvation itself. Justification qualifies us to labor with God, handle His goods, and dispense His truth.

"For both He that sanctifieth and they who ARE SANCTIFIED are all of One: for which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren" (Heb 2:11). "He that sanctifies" is Jesus, and "they who ARE sanctified" are those in Him--all of them! The "One" to Whom both are traced is God the Father. The reality of our sanctification is seen in Christ's attitude toward us. He is not ashamed to call us His brothers because we both have the same Father. That is a remarkable circumstance that is rarely heard among the saved in our time. It is truly a "joyful sound," and blessed are they who recognize it!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for separating me from sin, but particularly for separating me TO Yourself. Were it not for that glorious transaction, I know sin would quickly overcome me again. In Jesus' name, I thank Your for being sanctified.

-- TOMORROW: SANCTIFIED BY CHRIST'S OFFERING --