SANCTIFICATION

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

Devotion 13 of 16

SET THE LORD APART IN YOUR HEART

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear" (1 Pet 3:15). How do we "sanctify the Lord God in our hearts?" Rest assured, there is no quick and effortless way for this to be accomplished. No one can achieve this by laying their hands upon you. It will not come by a sudden rush of irresistible power. The sanctification of the Lord is within YOUR heart, which implies YOUR involvement. Negatively, it involves spiritual aggression against every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God (2 Cor 10:5). Positively, it is associated with taking the kingdom "by violence" (Matt 11:12), aggressively seeking to appropriate the blessing of the Lord.

The results of sanctifying the Lord within the heart tell us much about the process itself. The Lord becomes dominant in our thoughts. Affection is set on things above, and not on things on the earth (Col 3:1- 3). Our focus is on things "unseen," rather than things that are "seen" (2 Cor 4:17-18). The world is no longer loved (2 John 2:15-17), and an acute awareness that its fashion is passing away grips the heart (1 Cor 7:31). Such sanctification results in spiritual readiness. Thus, we are not caught off guard by inquiries concerning our faith. Hope rising to prominence in the heart, minimizes all other preferences. enables us to give a "reason" for that hope to inquiring souls.

Sanctification makes our faith observable to others. They will see a sharp contrast between us and themselves. What is more, they will attribute that difference to a "hope" they do not possess. May God raise up a mighty army that willA provoke inquiry among those who behold them.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I desire for You to occupy all of my being--to be filled with all of Your fulness. Only then will I be able to provoke inquiry from others, and give an appropriate answer to them. Grant me this power, in Jesus' name.

-- TOMORROW: SEPARATION FROM RELIGIOUS PERVERSION --