November 13, 2016 THE WILL OF GOD
1 Thessalonians 4:1-3: “Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that, as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you may excel still more. For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification:”
One definition of sanctification is: “To set a person apart for the use intended by its designer.” As believers, our sanctification is both a past event, and also an ongoing process. Our “sanctification” is a major tenet of the Christian faith and is something that should be understood and viewed as a call of God to all believers. It is an error to say that because we are in Christ, our sanctification is a ‘done deal.’ It is true that our sanctification is based on being in Christ and not because we somehow achieved our sanctification, but because God has redeemed us and set us apart for His purposes, we are sanctified. In the New Testament, we find many instructions and exhortations encouraging believers to walk in holiness, and to live as sanctified people of God. God has made it possible, and He does expect us to be holy, just as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). The central truth is that because He has sanctified us, we are now to live sanctified, holy lives, and we can only live holy by dying to our flesh and living according to the Spirit. Because we see our own failures and short-comings, it may be difficult for us to grasp the fact that we can be holy in thought, action and deed, like God is holy-we can share in His holiness. It may sound like legalism to some, (trying to obey the scriptures in our own strength) but because we are sanctified, we must make choices in life that are in keeping with our sanctification; our life is to resemble, or reflect the very character of God, who is holy. We must never misunderstand our freedom in Christ; our freedom in Christ means that we are free from the old man we use to be, and are now free to live according to who we are in Him. One of the major hurdles that we must overcome is understanding that we are not who we use to be, that we have been made new, and that we can now live ‘holy’ as unto the Lord. Our holiness is not just a concept or theory; our holiness takes on a very practical aspect in the here and now-it determines or influences how we relate to others, it affects how we think, it causes our attitude and view of life to be what God intended, and it produces in us godly character and integrity. Our holiness is not something we have to achieve; we are holy, and by living according to the Spirit and by living according to our new identity in Christ, we reflect the holiness of our Father.
2 Corinthians 7:1: “Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.”
Hebrews 12:14: “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see God.”
Blessings,
Buddy
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