SANCTIFICATION

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

Devotion 10 of 16

SANCTIFIED AND KEPT FOR JESUS

"Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called" (Jude 1:1). Jude wrote to people in a state of spiritual decline. He wanted to communicate about the "common salvation" (Jude 3). The circumstances, however, required that he stir them up to "earnestly contend for the faith" from which they were slipping. In keeping with the nature of salvation, Jude did not address them as backsliders, but as those that "ARE sanctified." God Himself had set them apart, and preserved them "for Christ" (NASB). This is something that was already accomplished, not something that needed to be achieved!

Jude's expression indicates that we are being kept safe for presentation to Jesus at His return. Various translations convey this thought. "Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and KEPT FOR Jesus Christ" (RSV). "Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and KEPT FOR Jesus Christ" (ASV). "Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, who are beloved in God the Father and KEPT SAFE FOR Jesus Christ" (NASB). Although our view of this truth can be distorted, when correctly seen, it remains a bulwark to our faith. In the strictest sense, our sanctification extends from eternity to eternity; from "before the world began" to the "ages to come" (2 Tim 1:9; Eph 2:7; 3:21). In this text, our identity with Jesus at His coming is accomplished by Deity. We are being "kept safe for Jesus Christ." Hallelujah!

There is another aspect to this verse. There is a sense in which we were
preserved for Christ PRIOR to our calling--i.e. the Lord did not allow us to be destroyed before we came to, and received, the Son. This is the perspective of the KJV. " . . . to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called." in this sense, we were set apart for Christ by God. Upon our belief of and obedience to the Gospel, God then gave us to the Son, that He might bring us to Himself and glory (Heb 2:10; 1 Pet 3:18). This view is also seen in John 6:39, and 17:9,11,24. While this is not the thrust of the verse we are considering, it does represent a most edifying vein of truth.

It is imperative to recall our sanctification

"Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he WAS SANCTIFIED, an unholy thing, and hath despite unto the Spirit of grace?" (Heb 10:29). When "was" the individual "sanctified?" Some believe it was at "an old time altar," whatever that is. Others believe it was at a moment of particular dedication. Still others believe sanctification was achieved through human effort alone. If this is true, the expression "was sanctified" would refer to a point in time when holiness was attained through human discipline.

The truth is, sanctification occurred when Jesus laid down His life, a ransom for many. It was personally appropriated when we "passed from death unto life" (John 5:24). That is when you were "delivered from the power of darkness, and translated into the kingdom of His dear Son" (Col 1:13). Stated another way, sanctification took place at the point of Christ's death (Heb 10:10,14,29), but was experienced when you were "baptized into Christ," and "put on Christ" (Gal 3:27) - - or when you were "raised . . . up together, and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus" (Eph 2:6). At that point, you entered into a state wherein you are "preserved for Christ Jesus." That state is maintained by means of your personal faith. The One using the appointed means, however, is God Himself!

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank you for sanctifying and keeping me for Jesus! Even now, I find Him satisfying and invigorating to my spirit, and I know the best is yet to come. I praise You for keeping me prior to my faith, and for now keeping me through my faith. Receive my praise in the name of Jesus Christ!

-- TOMORROW: JESUS IS OUR SANCTIFICATION --