SANCTIFICATION

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

Devotion 16 of 16

THE ROLE OF THE SPIRIT IN SANCTIFICATION
Unto obedience and the sprinkling of Jesus' blood

The Holy Spirit is active in our sanctification. He is the One who applies the redemptive virtues of Christ's death, thereby making us qualified for divine use. a"Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied" (1 Pet 1:2).

Note, the immediate purpose of the sanctification of the Spirit is twofold. Subjectively, it was in order to our obedience. Objectively, it was that the blood of Christ might be sprinkled upon us, like Moses sprinkled the tabernacle and furniture. Sanctification necessarily involves obedience as well as cleansing. Holy people are obedient people!

The Holy Spirit plays a vital role in our acceptance of the truth. There can be no sanctification without an embrace of the truth of the Gospel. "But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth" (2 Thess 2:13) . Where the Spirit is not grieved or quenched, people rejoice in, and love, the truth. Gospel truth is primary to such, never secondary. They refuse to exchange the proclamation of the truth for delusion, and the passing fancies of this benighted world.

Our acceptance and relish of the truth is driven by its compelling nature. It is truly the "glad tidings of good things" (Rom 10:15). Working through the Gospel itself, the Spirit shows us the love and grace of God. He gives clarity to the abundance of, and accessibility to, the grace of our God.

Through the truth

The truth is the appointed means through which we are sanctified. "Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth" (John 17:17). "And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth" (John 17:19). While Jesus is the embodiment of truth, the Word of God is the system of rational thought that enables our sanctification. Through it we learn of the mind of Lord, His purpose, and His provision. Our unreserved acceptance of these things compels us to abandon self interests, thereby making us useful to our Lord.

The position that states Jesus Himself is the "Word" in reference is not acceptable. It is the Gospel that reveals Jesus. There is not, nor has there ever been, a sanctifying thought concerning Jesus that was not provoked by God's Word. As our hearts and minds are devoted to the contemplation of divine expression, we are experientially separated from the world.

CONCLUSION

Sanctification, is the aspect of our salvation that brings legality and practicality together! As you muse upon these things, it will become apparent to you that you will never be able to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling until you know you have been set aside for that purpose.

God and man are joined together in sanctification. Both are active in the process, and both benefit from its accomplishment. God is the Sanctifier. Without His pronouncement, practical sanctification would not be possible. We are able to "perfect holiness in the fear of the Lord" (2 Cor 7:1) because we have been made holy. Our efforts spring from divine accomplishment. From the standpoint of love, for instance, "we love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). The same principle is seen in our sanctification.

Those who see these things can respond like Isaiah, "Here am I, send me" (Isa 6:8). No one will volunteer for such service until they are convinced of the accomplishments of God in Christ. There is no reason why that person cannot be you.

PRAYER POINT: Father, I thank You for the Holy Spirit, and of His indispensable role in our sanctification. In Jesus' name, I ask for grace to consistently avoid quenching and grieving Your Holy Spirit.

-- TOMORROW, New Series: THE INTERRELATIONSHIPS OF TRUTH--