26 February, 2023
LIVING A SANCTIFIED LIFE
(Christian Living 13)
Among the many things God does in the lives of His children is sanctification. He said, “I am the LORD Who sanctifies you” (Lev.20:8). He did this first by separating Israel from other people who were pagans. He told Israel, “I am the LORD your God Who separated you from other people. And you shall be holy to Me; for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from other people, that you should be Mine” (Lev.20:26).
Notice that God does this by first “separating” His people from other people who were pagans. This word “separate” also means to be “set apart” solely for God. That is why He said, “for I the LORD am holy, and have separated you from other people, that you should be Mine” (Lev.20:26). The Apostle Paul reiterates this by quoting from Isaiah 52:11: “Come out from among them and be separate, says the LORD. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. And I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty” (2 Cor.6:17-18). We must obey this command if we want to be God’s children.
In the New Testament, God sanctifies sinners by the Blood of His Son: “Therefore, Jesus also, that He might sanctify us with His own Blood…” (Heb.13:12). The Bible says that “our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good” (Titus 2:13-14). Christ’s redemption is to “purify for Himself a people that are His very own”. So, all who are to belong to Christ are to be redeemed and purified. Let us remain sanctified in our life.
The Holy Spirit also does that for us: “We have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with His Blood” (1 Pet.1:2). That is the reason why we must always “walk in the Spirit so that we will not fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal.5:16). The Holy Spirit by His power and guidance, keeps us from sinning and keep us sanctified.
Then another way God keeps us sanctified is through His Word. In His High Priestly Prayer to the Father, Christ said, “Sanctify them by Your Truth; Your Word is Truth” (John 17:17). There is power in the Word of God, power to keep us holy when we obey its instructions and commands. Our Lord Jesus said, “The Words I have spoken to you are full of the Spirit and Life” (John 6:63). Hence, we must read, study and meditate on God’s Word every day. The Psalmist said, “Your Word have I kept in my heart so that I will not sin against you” (119:11).
Paul told the Church, “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified…For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life” (1 Thess.4:3,7). If we are to live a life pleasing to God, then it is imperative that we keep ourselves sanctified all day and throughout life. “Just as He Who called you is holy, be holy in all that you do, for it is written, “Be holy for I the LORD am holy” (1 Pet.1:15-16). May God help us to be holy; without which no one will not see the Lord.
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