WHEN IS A BELIEVER SANCTIFIED? 1.Positionally, the moment we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 26:18) by faith. For at that moment we are: a) baptized into Christ (I Corinthians 12;13), and b) set apart or sanctified in Him (I Corinthians 1:2), and c) He becomes our sanctification (I Corinthians 1:30). 2. However, practically, progressively and experientially, we become more and more set apart for God-more and more sanctified and holy. a) We are to perfect holiness in the fear of God (II Corinthians 7:1). b) God has called us to holiness (I Thessalonians 4:7). c) Gods will is that we yield our members to holiness and become the servants of righteousness (Romans 6:19-20). d) He has given some apostles, some prophets some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers are for the perfecting of the saints until they reach the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13). HOW ARE WE SANCTIFIED? 1. By the sacrifice and blood of Christ (Hebrews 10:10, 29). 2. By following Christs example (Ephesians 4:20-32; Philippians 2:5). 3. By cleansing of the Word of God (John 17:17; Ephesians 5:26). 4. By the power of the Holy Spirit. a) The Holy Spirit is the agent in our sanctification (I Peter 1:2; II Thessalonians 2:13; Romans 15:16. The Spirit works in harmony with Gods election of us. b) The Holy Spirit is also the power by which Sanctification is effected in us (Romans 8:13; Ephesians 3:16; Galatians 5:16). When used of things, the word sanctify does not imply any inner moral quality to set apart for God. When used of persons there is a three-fold meaning. a) Positional 1) Believers are viewed as being in Christ. The pharse is found 18 times in Ephesians alone. 2) Positionally, as being in Christ, believers are said to be sanctified (I Corinthians 1:2, and called saints, holy ones Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1;1; Colossians 1:2). Also in I Corinthians 1:30, Christ is said to be the believers sanctification. 3) Note: in Hebrews 10:10, we see that believers are sanctified forever (once for all) ...through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ...
Posted on: Thu, 05 Jun 2014 03:27:22 +0000