Sanctified

Sanctified

1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Some form of the word “sanctified” appears in the Word of God 73 times. Scripture goes so far as to say God’s wills our sanctification. So, it’s an important word. We Christians are commanded to be sanctified, but what does it mean to be sanctified and how do we do that?

First, let’s define sanctification. In simple terms, it means to be purified; it means to be holy. God desires our holiness; He wants us to be pure. He wants us to be set apart from sin. That’s God’s will for us. Scripture tells us God did not call us to uncleanness but to holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:7).

Secondly, let’s answer the question; how can we be sanctified? How can sinful people become holy. Understand this; it’s an act of God. We are sanctified in the name of the Lord Jesus by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:11). We cannot sanctify ourselves; it is a work of God.

What triggers God’s sanctifying work in us? Faith in Jesus Christ. We were sanctified by Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross once and for all; by His offering, we are perfected forever (Hebrews 10:10,14). It’s our sanctification that allows us to be one with Christ, and because we’ve been sanctified by our faith in Jesus, He isn’t ashamed to call us His brothers and sisters (Hebrews 2:11). It’s our sanctification that makes us useful to the Master, prepared for every good work (2 Timothy 2:21).

Sanctified—it’s an important word, and I hope it applies to you.

Have a God Filled Week,
Brother Donnie