The Path_Sanctification

 

“And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they might also be sanctified through the truth.” – John 17:19

What makes something sacred?  What makes it holy, separate, and sanctified?  Are you holy because a man dips you in water?  Are you sanctified because a priest tells you so?  Is it because you went to church, or paid a certain amount of money?  Where does holiness come from?  What is sanctification and how are we sanctified?

Sanctification is the act of making holy, whereby we are set apart for God’s holy purpose.  When you are born into this world you are born in sin.  You have the nature to sin, and soon you commit sins.  When the Holy Spirit convicts you of sin, it shows you that you are guilty before God, and doomed to hell.  Furthermore, the conviction of the Holy Spirit calls you to repentance and conversion.  This means you turn from your sin and seek to serve Jesus Christ.  However, while this cleanses you from sins committed, it does not keep you from sin.  Though a clean vessel you may be, you are not a filled vessel.  A vessel filled with God’s Spirit and fit for His purpose has no room for sin.  The is why we must be sanctified.  Sanctification was illustrated to us in the Old Testament in a physical way.  God had certain vessels that were separated for His purpose.  He also separated certain people to handle them.  Like a curator at a museum is trained to handle the precious artifacts therein.  The pots, candlesticks, dishes, and so forth were overlaid with gold and set apart for service.  These vessels were only to be used as God said they should be used.  They were sanctified vessels, and because they were sanctified, they were holy.  God made them holy.  God wants us to be sanctified vessels.  He wants us to be set apart for His purpose, and for His service.  When you are living a sinful life, you are living a selfish life.  A life contrary to God.  An unholy, unsanctified life.  Living according to your purpose.  The sanctified life frees us from sin and separates us to serve and follow God’s purpose.

Jesus said in John chapter three: “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”  He went on to say: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” We must be born of the Spirit.  The Holy Spirit.  This is the only way we can be sanctified.  This is the only way to be truly free from sin.  The Holy Spirit sanctifies us and gives us the power to live every day in the will of the Father.  The power to keep from committing sin.  The power to love God above all else.  The power to keep Jesus’s commandments.  The power to love our neighbor as ourself.  Jesus died so that we might be sanctified.  When he said: “I sanctify myself.”  He was talking about his death on the cross.  He rose from the grave so that we might rise from the grave.  The grave of sin that holds us dead and bound in trespasses and sins.  Jesus went back to heaven so that he might send the Holy Ghost.  He sent the Holy Ghost to sanctify us and give us the power to live holy.  Uniting us with God to live in fellowship with God and his Son Jesus. 

Holiness is God’s character.  It is who he is.  We are not holy because we work at it or bribe our way into it, or gradually work at it for years and years.  We are holy because God makes us holy.  We commit ourselves to God and believe on Jesus Christ; asking the Holy Spirit to come into our hearts by faith.  That act of faith is met with an instantons action on Christ’s behalf.  The action of sending the Holy Spirit into our hearts.  When the Holy Spirits come, it sanctifies us and makes us holy.  It brings a change in us, from darkness to light.  From selfishness to selflessness.  From sinfulness to righteousness.  From worldliness to godliness.  It causes us to be set apart for God’s purpose.  To be sanctified.