“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.
