Sanctification Unpacked: Perfect, Present, Cleansing

 “Standing on the promises I now can see, perfect present cleansing in the blood for me, standing in the liberty where Christ makes free.  Standing on the promises of God.”-Russell Kelso Carter 

When you are speaking about sanctification, and the promise of it, you are taking God at his Word.  When we talk about living free from sin, we are taking God at his Word.  If you are preaching that a person can live holy, you are preaching God’s Word.  The Word says that the cleansing is perfect, present, and makes us free.  It says we can be sanctified, that we can be holy. 

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8:  “For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.  He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.”

Romans 6:21: “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.”

God has provided a way out of sin.  The merits of Christ bring complete redemption.  There is a grace that will teach us that denying ungodliness and worldly lust we should live soberly and righteously in this present world.  It is a grace that teaches from a place of authority, and that authority is not founded on sinning, but on righteousness.  As Romans 5:21 says: “That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”  The righteousness that Christ brings to us is the same righteousness that teaches us.  That calls us unto holiness, and frees us from sin.  That gives us the Holy Spirit here, now.  Therefore, we need not sin and repent to learn more and more about God.  Furthermore, we can live in perfect communion with God; guided and directed by his Holy Spirit.  Letting that be our teacher.  This also can happen here, now.  When you get sanctified you get the Holy Spirit, Christ in you, which makes you holy and can keep you holy.  

Eph 2:1: “ And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”

Acts 2:2-4: “And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.  And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.  And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”

Life is life at the point of life.  When a baby is born they come into the world crying, and the mother hears the first signs of life.  So with the new born babe in Christ, the quickening happens, in a moment.  In a moment, we come from death unto life.  We pass from sin unto righteousness.  This happens through the power of God.  The same power that raised Jesus from the dead, raises us from the dead works of sin. To believe God is to believe in the power of God.  Many people believe God for the plans that they have, hoping that God will adopt their plans and make them so.  Few believe God for the plans that God has for them, hoping that God will adopt them and cause their lives to conform to the image of Christ.  The first group will rise no higher than the thoughts they have for themselves.  The second will be a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (see Romans 12:1-2)  

Sanctification Unpacked: Spiritual Perfection

 "Nobody's perfect."  I have heard this my entire life, and said it myself a time or two.  I would ask, by what standard are you measuring perfection?  Is a blind man imperfect?  Does a fruit now blemished lose its sweetness? Mankind can only debate perfection, but God knows.  He knows and He has called us into it.  

Hebrews 10:1 “For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.”

This scripture and the supporting context concludes that mankind is imperfect and needs a Savior.  God gave us the law and commandments to instruct us, and show us how far we are from His character.  We are born sinful, separate, and prone to disobedience against God.  The law enumerates that to us.  It gives sin a face and name.  As Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 7:7: “What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.” He then further shows us our own hopeless depravity by writing in that same chapter: “For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”

Finally, he affirms that Christ Jesus is such a deliverer. “I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 7:25 & 8:1

It is because of Christ, and Christ alone that we can be found perfect, holy, and complete in the eyes of God.  That we can be delivered from sin, and sanctified unto perfection.  Free from condemnation, and fit for heaven.   

“ For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.” Hebrews 10:14

To be sanctified is to be perfected.  To be made complete, holy, and entirely His.  This is accomplished through the offering of Christ, and is witnessed to us by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.  The scriptures promise that we can be perfect.  Jesus died so that we might be perfect.  Paul preached perfection, and exhorted:

“Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.” Philippians 3:15  

So, somebody’s perfect, right?  Most definitely, but again, by what measure?  By the only one that matters, God’s and God alone.   God wants to give us perfect love, a perfect heart, and a perfect relationship with Him. Perfect and complete unity with the Father through faith in Christ.  It follows that if we are in complete unity with the Holy Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit then we are totally divorced from sin.  Complete and perfect deliverance from sin.  Your past sins, your desire to sin, and the action of committing sin.  Glorious freedom!   

“I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.” John 17:23

I would like to note here that the manifested human condition (sometimes referred to the flesh in scripture) can cause you to sin, but it does not always constitute sin.    The same human failing that can cause miscommunication can lead to lying.  The same desire to work for your food, can drive you to work unto covetousness.  It can be a thin line between the carnal nature that breeds sinful action, and human nature that births flawed actions.  Furthermore, perfect intentions do not always beget perfect actions.  We are not privy to all the facts.  We err in judgment, we make mistakes.  Many times I have left the office intending to be home by five thirty, only to find myself walking through the door at five forty five.  Did I lie?  No, my intent was to be home, but I had to stop for gas, or I had car trouble, or a hundred other unforeseen events.  In addition to that, as we go along we find God chastises us, and directs us.  Yet through it all grace reigns, but not on the throne of sin, but through the righteousness of the Holy Spirit within.  This newness of life within constitutes a spiritual perfection that can remain unblemished, and untarnished; yet it can still be lost if we reject the Holy Ghost and fall into willful sin. 

“That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”  Romans 5:21 

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.” Hebrews 10:26-27

  

Why the distinction?  Why the need to press this point of spiritual perfection?  To speak out against the flood waters of the “sin and repent” doctrine?  In the first place, because some have never heard.  I pray there is someone out there who has a longing to serve God separate from sin.  A sincere soul who wants to be truly free from sin.  One that is wrestling with the promises laid out in God’s Word, and like Jacob won’t let go until God blesses them.  Perhaps there is a heart that is prepared for holiness, for sanctification, for spiritual perfection; and the Word will take root.  Second, because we will rise no higher than what we believe.  If you believe that all there is in the Christian life is sinning and repenting then you will find yourself forever shackled by sin.  Frustrating the grace of God, and never entering into that blessed land of perfect rest.  Finally, as I have stated already, God made a promise.  He said we could be perfect, and Christ died for that promise.  Do you not desire all that God has to offer?  There are many who have not claimed the promise of perfection.  Many who do not know what it means to be filled with perfect love.  Struggle hard with sin, when God has prepared for them the blessing of sanctification.  One that not only delivers you from sin, but it keeps you from sin.  Perhaps there is one soul out there asking: What Is Sanctification?  To that the scriptures cry out: it is spiritual perfection. 

   

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48

Let There Be Light

 “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.  And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” -Genesis 1:3-4

Nearing the end of World War II, nearly two dozen navy pilots were on a return trip to their aircraft from a successful bombing raid on two Japanese ships.  Flying in the dead of night, running low on fuel, the pilots could not locate the aircraft carrier. Fearing the loss of his men to the Pacific, Admiral Mitscher of the United States Navy ordered the fleet to turn on the lights; thereby risking their exposure to attack.  The bold move that saved many.  If you're lost in the sea of sin and darkness, trying frantically to find salvation. Jesus can save you; Jesus can turn on the lights.    

The scripture tells us in Matthew 6:22 that if thine eye be single thy whole body shall be full of light.  Paul desired that Christ would open the eyes of the lost and turn them from darkness to light, from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.  He also wrote to the Corinthians for God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. Peter wrote of the daystar, which was Christ, which should arise in our hearts. John told of Christ being the light and the life of men.  From the beginning, God divided the light from dark.  In a natural sense, we need light to exist, to survive, and to prosper. People are naturally drawn to light.  It is evident that we were not meant to live in darkness.  God’s creation is a creation of light. We need light in a natural sense, and we need the light in a spiritual sense. Darkness is not God’s intention.  Darkness is synonymous in the Word of God with sin. When you have sin in your heart, you have sin in your life. Therefore, you have darkness in your life. Sin will cause you to be lost in that darkness.  Stumbling about from one thing to the next, groping blindly for that which cannot save. The only thing that can save us is the light. The light will banish all darkness, because darkness and light have been divided from the beginning. Jesus is the light, he is the Savior.  When Christ comes into your heart, he will drive out the darkness.  He will drive out all sin. Just as you cannot mix light and dark, so you cannot mix sin and righteousness. One must go. When Christ comes into your heart, you are turned from darkness to light.

From the beginning, God has put division between light and dark.  As in nature, so it is in our own hearts, God wants light and darkness separate; sin and holiness,unrighteousness and righteousness.  They cannot co-exist, so let there be light.

Wednesday Weekly: Stephen Copeland

 Hey Wednesday Weekly friends,

I'm Bro. Stephen Copeland, filling in for Bro. Patrick while he's serving at Kids Camp this week. I may not have met each one of you, but know that I love you and want to see every one of you in Heaven someday!

I asked Bro. Patrick if it would be cheating for me to simply submit Psalm 34 for the weekly devotional.....It's SO good. If you haven't read it lately, I would encourage you to get your Bible out and read it verse by verse. I'll add a few of my meager thoughts, but the Scripture truly speaks for itself.

It starts with:

"I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad." (Psalm 34:1-2)

In a world that loves the latest gossip and hot takes, Lord help me to be speaking His praises and boasting only in Him at all times! This alone would solve a ton of problems people go through. I don't think it's a mistake that David says his soul will make her boast in the Lord. This is something that comes from deep within and it's not just surface level. It reminds me of another Scripture: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:8) Our mindset matters! Do we constantly think negatively of others, or criticize? Lord help me to boast only in him and to keep my thoughts on good things.

"O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together." (Psalm 34:3)

I love the invitation this Psalm gives—we aren't in this race alone! I enjoy hearing someone sing a solo just like anyone else, but have you ever been in a church service with congregational singing where the Spirit just takes over? There is something powerful and unifying about worshiping together. Worship doesn't exclude; it's freely available to anyone and everyone. Beautiful congregational worship from Christ's Sanctified Holy Church Campmeeting from 1998.

"I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles." (Psalm 34:4-6)

These verses encapsulate my testimony in such a simple but beautiful way. What a blessing it is to call upon the Lord and know that he hears you! And not only does he hear, but he delivers and saves. He cares, and there is no sin, burden, or problem too great for him to handle.

The chapter goes on for sixteen more verses, and once again, I encourage you to take a few moments to read it when you can. I hope it encourages you as much as it encouraged me. 

Blessings,

Bro. Stephen Copeland

What Is Sanctification? It Makes And Keeps You Holy

     Holiness by definition is sanctification, and sanctification is holiness.  To be holy is to be consecrated and set apart to the glory of God.  It implies perfection, purity, and godliness.  Yet, used in our common vernacular it engenders thoughts of grand cathedrals, ornate priests, or saints of old.  You wouldn't think the common man could be holy, would you?  Yet, the very purpose of Christ’s mission was to make us holy.  To sanctify us.  What is sanctification?  It makes you and keeps you holy. 

Colossians 1:21-22: “And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:”

We have forgiveness from sins because of the blood of Christ.  We have justification for sin because of the sacrifice of Christ.  We have the Holy Spirit because of the resurrection, and ascension of Christ.  We have sanctification, because Christ sent the Holy Spirit.  Therefore, if you are sinning you are an enemy of Christ and crucifying the son of God afresh.  You are alienated and made yourself an enemy by your wicked works.  If you are still sinning you are not redeemed, if you are redeemed you are no longer sinning; because the sins of your past are gone and the nature that you have in you to sin has been changed.  The daily practice of sinning is done away with, and the newness of life without sin has begun.  

 This is not by works that we/you have done (the scripture says), but because of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that makes you holy and keeps you holy.  This was God’s intention from the beginning.  That we should be sanctified, that we should be holy. “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” (Ephesians 1:4)

1 Corinthians 3:17: “If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 

When God loosed Zacharias (John the Baptist father) tongue, he began to prophesy over his son John and spoke of Jesus’s mission.  In that sermon he said: “That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.” (Luke 1:74-75)

 How? How can we serve him without fear in holiness?  The Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit dwelling within us makes us holy and makes us a temple of the living God.  We become God’s habitation because of Christ.  He nailed himself to the cross, sanctifying himself for the glory of God, that we might be sanctified (so says John 17).  This makes us holy; holy in deeds and truth.  No sin.  No sin within, and no sinning without.  It’s gone, it’s all gone, and it can stay gone by the power of the Holy Ghost.  Today can be the last lie you ever tell.  The last look of lust towards a woman, the last hangover, the last look of condemnation from God the Father.  Today can be your last day as a sinner.  It can be gone, you are loved, you are wanted, Christ died for you to be sanctified and made holy.  Repent and believe, take Christ at his word.     

2 Timothy 1:14: “That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.” 

Holiness doesn’t put you in a bubble where you will never be tempted.  It doesn't make you into this spiritual superman where the devil ignores you.  Satan still comes knocking, tribulation happens and yet you find a power within to keep you from sinning.  This is the Holy Ghost.  Sanctification.  The “keeping” power.  The Holy Ghost makes and keeps you holy.  Your hand does not reach, the eyes don't linger, and the feet don’t follow after mischief because the Holy Ghost is powerful enough to change us, keep us, and direct us.  Our role is to yield and be obedient.  As the Apostle Peter writes: “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;  Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:14-16)

What Is Sanctification? The Second Blessing; Indwelling, and Witness Of The Spirit

 What is Sanctification?  It is the second blessing, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, and the witness of the Spirit. 

Matthew 3:11: “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”

Sanctification is the second blessing.  John came first, preaching repentance and baptizing those who believe in water.  The water was an outward symbol for an inward cleansing.  A cleansing of sins committed.  Jesus came preaching repentance, and telling the people of the bread of life (John 6:35), of living water (John 7:38), of the Holy Ghost (John 14:26), and power after the Holy Ghost has come (Acts 1:8).  This baptism of the Holy Ghost would follow after repentance.  It is not a natural  consequence of repentance, it is not coupled with repentance.  It does not begin at repentance.  It is a second, distinct blessing that must follow repentance.  It must be sought after you have repented, sought as a necessary work of God in your life that will save you from sin and hell.  For no one is truly saved at repentance, you are only saved when you are sanctified, and you are sanctified when you are baptized by the Holy Ghost.  Jesus said that ye must be born again, and to be born again takes the water (repentance), and the Spirit (sanctification).  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5). 

2 Timothy 1:13-14: “Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.  That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.”

The Holy Spirit dwells within a believer that has repented, surrendered, and invited the Holy Spirit to come in.  The Holy Ghost dwelling within is the power of Christ dwelling within, and that power can keep you from sin.  Repenting and living without the Holy Spirit will yield only more repenting.  Sinning and repenting, condemnation and recommitting.  Repenting and being sanctified by the Holy Ghost will yield holiness of heart, and holiness of life.  It will free you from all sin; namely the will to, want to, and practice of sinning.  It will keep you free from sin. 

Hebrews 10:14-17: “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.  Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.”

The Word and the Witness guide the life of a sanctified person.  It is no longer what I say, or my family says, or even what my church says; but what does Christ say?  The law is no longer on tables of stone, but it is written on our hearts.  Spoken to us by the Word and the Witness.  The Holy Ghost dwelling on the inside, testifying to us that we are children of God, joint heirs with Christ.  That we have been redeemed, and are walking in the light of the truth of the gospel.  That we are citizens of heaven, and pilgrims on earth.  It is our evidence of fellowship, unity with Christ, and assurance of a home in heaven.     

What Is Sanctification? It Is Christ

 Picking up from last week, endeavoring to unpack this topic of sanctification, and answer the question: What is Sanctification?  

It is Christ.  It is important to understand that the blessing of sanctification is the manifestation of Jesus Christ in the heart and lives of the Christian.  Listed below, I add a few verses to illustrate this, with accompanying comments.  

John 17:17-19: “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.  As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.  And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.”

                    Mankind is sinful, God is holy, therefore we need a Savior.  Someone, or something, to bring us back to God.  Christ is/was that Savior.  Our salvation had to come through sacrifice.  Christ separated himself, sacrificed himself on the cross, so that we might be sanctified.  To be sanctified is to be separated unto God for a holy purpose.  Christ is the way, the truth and the life no man can come to the Father but by me (John 14:6).  He was sanctified, so that we might be sanctified, and we are sanctified through Him.  

Acts 26:18:  “ To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.”

To obtain an inheritance you need three things: first, the death of the testator (writer of the will and testament).  Second, you must be an heir (one who has the legal means to obtain the estate/inheritance), and finally, the executor (one who is responsible for following through on the terms of the testament).  Christ the author of the testament being the Word himself.  He is the death of the testator, dying on the cross of our sins.  He is the executor of the testament by the person of the Holy Spirit living in our hearts by faith.  Who grants unto us that we are heirs of God and joint heir through Christ.  All of this gives us an inheritance of the saints in light.  This is not possessed in part, but the whole when you possess the Holy Ghost.  It cannot be said that we are a child of God, and yet still sinning (Hebrews 10:26).  It cannot be said that we have the Holy Spirit and are committing sin (1 John 3:8).  It’s all or nothing.  Now or never.  If you hear his voice harden not your heart (Hebrews 3:15).  Unity with the Father comes through the Son, unity with the Son comes through the Holy Spirit, and the indwelling of the Spirit frees from all sin. Holiness within will produce holiness lived out, and this is sanctification.  Sanctification will set you apart for the service of God.  

Ephesians 3:16-17: “That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,”

 Christ did the work, now we must place our faith in Him.  Faith is the currency of heaven.  The same faith that a child has, so must we.  Do you believe Christ is the Son of God?  Do you believe that he died for you?  That he was resurrected by the power of God?  That he ascended on high, and is at the right hand of the Father?  That he is ready to send the Holy Spirit to sanctify and dwell within your heart?  Repentance leads to forgiveness, and forgiveness prepares the inner man for the Holy Spirit.  By believing in Christ, you believe all that he said he is, and he said he is the spirit of truth, the Comforter, the Holy Ghost (John 14:16,26 & John 15:26).  Do you believe that he will dwell within to make you holy and keep you holy?   Holiness is taking Christ at his word. 

Colossians 1:27: “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:”

                     A sanctified person's hope shifts from the seen to the unseen.  From their strength to Christ’s strength.  They no longer "think" they are saved, but they know they are saved.  They have a hope that is secure, a confidence that is grounded in the risen Christ who is manifested by the Holy Spirit. A part of what is up there, abounding in your heart down here, which affirms that you're going there.  Jesus Christ on the inside to show us the way.  A Savior who teaches, guides, strengthens, and leads.  Who calls us to: "follow me."  Our hope of glory, and in this hope we trust.  

What is Sanctification?  It is Christ.  Christ in you the hope of glory.

Sanctification Unpacked

  What is Sanctification?  Over the next few weeks (with God’s help), I hope to address this question and expound on that magnificent word: Sanctification.  A word that holds so much meaning, so much power, and is no less than salvation itself.  A doctrine that can abolish sin, transform lives, and make holy that which was unholy.  A blessed hope, enduring peace, and divine power that is available for every man who places their faith and trust in Christ.  

My prayer is that in unpacking some of what it is, it might prove to be a help to some soul, somewhere.  Furthermore, striving to address what it is not might illuminate a pathway to that weary one who is tired of sinning and repenting.  Might there be someone who desires to be sanctified wholly?  Could there be one who wants to be free from all sin?  Who wants to know and experience more than just living in bondage to sin and the flesh?  My prayer is that the Word of God will reach out, and the truth of God will ring out to that soul.   

Listed below are some foundational points that I would like to address.  I do not claim that this is all it is, or all it is not, simply saying that these points should be addressed if you are to understand what sanctification is.  

What it is:

It is Christ. (Colossians 1:27)

It is the second blessing. (Acts 26:18)

It is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. (2 Timothy 1:14)

It is the witness of the Spirit. (Hebrews 10:15) 

It makes you and keeps you holy. (Colossians 1:21-22, Ephesians 1:3-14, 1 Peter 1:2-5) 

It is spiritual perfection. (Hebrews 10:14)

It is presently available for you. (Titus 2:11-14)

What it is not:

It is not the will of man. (1 Thessalonians 4:3)

It is not repentance. (Acts 19:2)

It is not progressive. (Acts 2:1-4)

It is not optional. (Hebrews 2:3)

It is not positional. (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

It is not weak. (Romans 8:1-9)

Humility

“I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.” – John 5:30

Humility is a defense against the sin of pride.  The carnal heart is infected with pride, it is the pillar of carnality.  A man’s pride chains him to sin, it exalts him above God, and it keeps him from repentance, which will lead to sanctification.  Furthermore, pride creates a great chasm between himself and humility.  Humility that would birth righteousness, devotion, reverence, and the hand of God on his life.  

Jesus Christ said, “I can of mine own self do nothing.”  This statement staggers me.  It is totally contrary to the way the world and Satan would have us operate.  They would have the sanctified, Christian believer, do everything of themselves.  Necessities must be met.  The tribulations, and challenges of life must be met.  Most of us have creature comforts that we feel we must maintain.  In addition, there are goals, ambitions, and wishes that we feel compelled to perform.  In all of this there is care, stress, and anxiety.  Take something as simple as cutting the grass for example.  Apparently, it is unbecoming of a neighbor to have an untidy lawn, so we labor to keep it tidy.  In that process we procure a mower, weed eater, fertilizer, hose, sprinkler, edger, and leaf blower; all of this just to keep the grass cut.  Or we simply pay someone who has all that already.  Regardless, we are then in need of gainful employment that will provide the money to pay or procure tools to cut the grass.  Grass is a luxury item, it provides no real value or profit to our lives., yet it is something (most of us) maintain.  Now, is cutting the grass a source of anxiety in our life?  Most likely not, however, it is a stressor.  It brings care to our little kingdom.  Depending on the size of your kingdom it may be one of a hundred things that cause care and worry.  You may feel like you are adequately managing the kingdom, or totally failing.  In either case, if we have the mindset that we are doing it, that we are in charge, if  that is our mindset you/we are  setting ourselves up for failure in the end.  The devil is moving us into the danger zone, setting up pride as an idol in our own hearts and letting us believe “you got this.”  True, it may all be “under control” today, but there is coming a day when it’s not.  There is a day when you need a Savior.  To some this realization may come sooner rather than later, but to all it will come.  The show may go on with a confident smile; but when death comes, nobody can pass judgment without Jesus.  If pride is cemented in your heart, you will not pass judgment.  Therefore, in all things we must “do nothing of ourselves.”  We must humble and cast.  The man of pride can be destroyed in the human heart as surely as the man of sin can, but the world, flesh, and the devil will constantly try to resurrect him.  Therefore, we must die daily and cast it all on Jesus.  Humble ourselves and let him lift us up. 

Humility is the silver bullet to the temptation of pride.  Humility firmly puts Jesus Christ in the driver seat.  You don’t have to have it all figured out.  You don’t have to have to be “owning life”; but you do have to cast all your care upon him.  We must humble ourselves, this is not a recommendation but a commandment.  When we do, God will lift us up and take care of us; he will keep that which is committed unto him “against that day.”

Condition Of The Covenant

 “Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:” -Isaiah 29:13

If you have ever been around a God fearing, Christ obeying married couple, then you are blessed.  Not just two people who bury the issues to fend off divorce, but really love God, and love each.  Yoked in perfect fellowship with Christ and one another.  United under the banner of holiness and fighting alongside one another to advance the cause of Christ. These marriages are Christ centered and exemplify communication, love, commitment, sacrifice, devotion, fulfillment, servanthood, submission.  They begin at the covenant.  They begin with the vow.

As a good marriage shows us how our relationship with Jesus ought to be; so, a glamorized wedding reminds us of the lip service that we once, or are presently, feeding to God.  Before marriage you typically have a wedding.  Typically.  A wedding is an occasion where friends and family gather to celebrate the union between a man and women, before God.  At some point the bride and groom will make a vow to one another to be faithful, to serve one another, and to love until death.  The sad reality is that sometimes marriages are aborted before the debt from the wedding is paid off.  If you do not enter into a marriage totally committed to God first, and your spouse second, then you are doing both a disservice.  You can dress it up, but if you don’t wholly commit to one another, it’s all in vain.  Sure, the service was beautiful, the bride was beautiful, everything looked and sounded wonderful; but what of the condition of the covenant?  The same question looms in front of every sinner that comes to God and every sanctified soul that is currently serving God.  What of the condition of the covenant?  Is it genuine?  Is it continuous?  Do you know Christ died for you?  Have you repented of your sin, confessed Jesus as Lord, surrendered to Him, and filled with the Holy Spirit?  Are you walking in holiness, delivered from all sin?  Are you free from the want and will to commit sin?  Are you still wholly devoted and dedicated to Christ and Him alone?  Or are you just going to church?  Going through the motions, and making it by?  The Pharisee’s of Jesus' time are a prime example of glamorization without commitment.  Ceremony without sacrifice.  Devotion without doctrine.  They looked the part, acted the part, but their life was an outward spiritual extravagance while their heart was far from Him.  They were not committed to God, so much as they were committed to the benefits that they received.  They did not love Him or His Son.  The wedding ceremony was worthy of the tabloids, but the marriage was worthless.  

Jesus doesn’t want a beautiful wedding; he wants a beautiful marriage.  He wants a relationship with us.  One that is filled with love, devotion, commitment, sacrifice, communication, and all the attributes of a holy life.  One that glorifies the Father.  That promotes love instead of lust, devotion over extravagance, commitment above excitement.  This begins and abides within the covenant.  The promise to love God with your all every day until your dying breath. 

The Work...Works

 “Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” – Hebrews 13:21

There is something fulfilling in understanding, implementing, and finishing a project.  Add to that the gratification that in each stage of the project you have the exact tool ready, organized, and at hand.  Finally when the tool is implemented by the hands of a master and the final project reflects the experience it brings satisfaction to those who witness and/or take part.  The work…works. 

The book of Hebrews is all about better things: a better word of promise, a better priest, a better sacrifice, and a better covenant.  The reason for all the better is Jesus.  Jesus was the redemption consolidator.  In the old covenant you needed a priest, fire, an altar, and a sacrifice to obtain redemption.  Jesus consolidated all that.  He was the great high priest; he was the sacrifice, he sent the fire, and because of all that you can make an altar and call on God.  Jesus took the plan of salvation and finished it.  In doing so, Jesus was given authority over sin and death.  If you wish to be justified and sanctified; to accomplish this you must come through Christ and follow His will.   “Thy will be done.”  This is sanctification.  The Holy Ghost, within a cleansed heart, leads it to do the will of the Father and his son Jesus Christ.  All other things in life fall secondary to this primary focus.  The inward work on the heart is good, right, and perfect.  Yet, Ezekiel prophesied to Israel “Hath not the potter power over the clay?……behold I will work a work on a wheel.”  While the work within is a complete work, the walk is not a complete walk.  The Christian must live a life pleasing to God.  This will mean shortcomings, misunderstandings, mistakes, and chastisement from God; but it does not have to mean sin.  Jesus Christ perfects the heart, and by the working of the Holy Ghost perfects us to do his will.  Like a potter, within himself are the tools to fashion the clay.  The potter molding us into that which he would have us to be.  He looks down at the clay and sees the end result; while all others look and see only a lump.  If we are obedient, then he is ever “working in us that which is well pleasing in his sight.”   The purpose of conviction is to draw you to a place of repentance, and ultimately into sanctification.  The purpose of chastisement, exhortation, reprove, rebuke, etc.  Is to fashion you into the total image of what Christ would have you to be.  Sometimes, we move with benevolent ambition, only to understand later the ambition was well placed, but the movement was not.  Sometimes we don’t move at all claiming we are “waiting on the Lord.”  Only to understand that we were really bound by fear “blaming it on the Lord.”  Our inaction is a consequence of our lack of devotion.  Sometimes we become apathetic, indifferent, cold, or misguided.  Sometimes we encounter situations we have never seen, and see things through a different lens which we never saw before.  Through it all we need grace, and God comes from God.  Through it all we need the working of Christ the Holy Ghost  in our lives; being constantly perfected by the working, to do His will.

Jesus is a wise master builder, and even he submitted himself to the same perfecting by the Father.  Even the sinless Christ “learned obedience through the things which he suffered.”  There was a work that was yet incomplete, and needed pressure, persistence, and sacrifice.  Jesus is working in us by the power of the Holy Ghost to the same ends.  The work, works; if we let it. 

Unrighteous Mammon

 

“And I say unto you, Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness; that, when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations.”-Luke 16:9 

God is not clamoring for our wealth, and His means are not limited to ours.  However, since this world is governed with money.  Debtors and creditors.  Wealth and means.  How might the disciple of Christ navigate this relationship between wealth and God?  Is the answer living in voluntary poverty?  Leave it all, owning nothing?  Or, rather, “make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness.”

  In verses one through eighth of this chapter Jesus talks of an unjust steward who was to be put out of his stewardship because he wasted his lord's goods.  When faced with poverty he resolved to use his influence to bridge the gap between two parties.  His lord and his lord's creditors.  He called the ones that owed his lord money and agreed with them for a part of the whole: “take a bill and write down fifty”. This served two purposes, it endeared him to his lord, and won favor with the creditors.  That way once he was fired from stewardship, he would have many friends (creditors) who would return the favor (job offers, lodging, etc.).  I mean, who doesn't love a good deal right?  Who isn't happy to see the guy who got you the deal?  If someone convinced your bank to reduce your mortgage by half, wouldn’t you be glad to see them?  He took this action because he failed, because he knew his time was up and found common ground amidst two opposing parties.  Herein is the lesson for us; faithfulness to God’s Word is the best action to take when dealing with money.  We are judged by God on how we handle money.  I believe Jesus put forth this lesson to the disciples because very soon they would lead the greatest spiritual awaking the world would ever know.  In that, hundreds would sell their possessions and lay the sum at the Apostle’s feet.  These men with nothing, would very quickly be responsible for fortunes.  How are they to deal with that money?  By recognizing that they cannot serve it, but they must serve God with it.  So they did, by financing missions, by caring for widows, orphans, the poor, sick, and needy.  Feeding the hungry and clothing the naked.  Where they couldn’t go the money did.  What they couldn't do with the money helped.  They realized that it was never meant to stay stagnant or sit in an account somewhere, but it was to be used!  To be bridled, saddled, and driven for God’s purposes.  Received, and given.  Distributing to the necessity of the saints.  This track record cemented a relationship with God, and caused them to be received into “everlasting habitations” for the work lives on, as does the example.  

Faithfulness in our finances is a reflection of our relationship with God.  It goes far beyond cheating and stealing, but down to the how, where, and what we put our money into.  This is a reflection on where our hearts truly are.  If we cannot be "faithful in unrighteous mammon,” how can God “commit to our trust the true riches?”  The Apostles understood this.  They coveted the Spirit and gave away the money.  Can it be said of the church today that we covet the money and give away the Spirit?   God is looking for faithfulness, not frivolity.  For sobriety, not surfeiting.  Generosity is the bridge between two opposing parties; the mammon of unrighteousness and the righteousness of God.  Since we are reluctant to give away what we love, generosity demonstrates what you love.  For if you cannot let it go, you can covet it.  Charity trusts, and faithfulness goes beyond accounting for every dollar and reaches into accounting for every dollar; while we let “our moderation be known unto all men for the Lord is at hand.”  Namely, what did you do with what God gave you? 

Our pursuit of good works must surpass our pursuit of much wealth lest the church find itself plagued with affluence, apathy, and indifference.  Lest we find our “church” culture exalted above the ones who Christ died for.  Deceived into thinking that gain is godliness from such withdraw thyself.  Let us rather spend and be spent for the gospel.

They Glorified God In Me

“But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.  And they glorified God in me.”-Galatians 1: 23 & 24

It has been said, reputation is what you’re perceived to be, and your character is what you really are.  While we hope our reputation and character is always positive, that may not always be the case.  Paul the Apostle was one such a case, he found that it took time for his reputation to catch up to his character.  No matter, because the end result was “they glorified God in me.”   In all things we want to glorify God.  The whole of humanity is meant for one purpose, to glorify God.   

Genesis, chapter one, tells us that God created: land and sea, space and sky, plants and animals; then he created man to inhabit his creation and he desired that God himself would inhabit mankind.  The sun will rise over the Atlantic each morning to bring light to the earth and people will be in awe of its beauty.  The blue sky and misty mountains will testify to the magnificence and might of the Almighty.  The vastness of space will promote the awesome power of the Alpha and Omega.  Yet, in all this; there is no choice or free will.  There is only creation.  We are the inhabitants of his creation and creation itself but we are different in that we can choose to deny God.  We can choose to deny his grace, his mercy, his power; we can even choose to deny his existence.  We have this choice while here on Earth, at times without punishment or retribution (however once we die we face judgment).  It was gifted to us just the same as the gift of life.  The sun cannot choose to shine, nor the tide to change, even the angels are subject to his authority, but God in his grace and mercy gave us choice, and loved us enough to subject himself to ridicule and mocking from the very creation which he made out of dust.  He wanted us to experience holiness, he wanted us to know Him, and he wanted this so passionately that he willingly gave his only Son so that we might find redemption and true life.  Think back, what brought you to Christ?  What convinced you that you could be saved?  Was it pictures of the Rocky Mountains or a visit to the Grand Canyon?  Perhaps, but far more likely it was the love of a Christian brother, it was a righteous life lived before you.  It was the preaching (and living) of the cross by a pastor or layman.  They glorified God and that glory drew you, it drew me.  They shined the light of Jesus in their life and it attracted us; it made you want to serve God and glorify Him over yourself.  God drew you to do His will over your own.  God was glorified within them, and his Holy Spirit called out to you.  Saul the Jew had the reputation and character of a man who persecuted the Christian church.  He believed in what he was doing, but it did not glorify God.  We may believe in what we are doing, and we may have a reputation and character that is acceptable, maybe even exalted but does it glorify God?  Does your life exalt Christ?  

Saul the prosecutor was soon struck down on the road and converted to Paul the apostle, and they "glorified God in him.”  The power of God  through Christ changed that man, and Christ can change your life.   If God can command the oceans, he can change your life.  If God can move the mountains, he can change your life.  If God can set the sun in the sky, he can change your life.  These things have to obey him, but you must choose to obey him, and in choosing you can be a vessel unto honor so that your reputation and character can be changed by the power of the Holy Spirit.  That it may be said: “they glorified God in me.” 

Holy Ghost Baptism

 

“I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost.” - Mark 1:8

 

To be baptized in water, is to take on the nature of water. If something is baptized in fire it takes on the nature of fire. Immersion inherently makes you part of the nature in which you are immersed.  It is said that the best way to learn a new language is to immerse yourself in the culture where it is spoken.  You become it, it does not become you.  This is the essence of baptism.

The Jews understood water being a symbol for ritual cleansing, and they would recognize the use of water in rite and ceremony.  When John came preaching repentance, baptizing in water. It would not have been a great leap for them to recognize the significance of this. John’s baptism of repentance was a turning away from sin.  Water baptism represented the cleansing of the old and the immersion into the new.  The religious leaders of that day had access to Almighty God, yet they used their knowledge and position to exalt themselves. When John the Baptist came preaching repentance from sin, the people were hungry to hear it; and did hear it. Yet John did not exalt himself but confessed that “he must increase(talking about Jesus), and I must decrease.” How much better off would we all be if we confessed the same? The baptism that we were ultimately to be baptized with, the entire message, the hallmark of God’s glorious plan of salvation to fallen man, was and always will be the baptism of the Holy Ghost. This baptism is meant to be the primary baptism that we all were to be baptized with.  It was coupled with the use of water, but not subject to it.  Consider the act of baptizing in water. First, the person to be baptized must commit themselves to the waters keeping.  Then they are destined to put on the very nature of the water itself. The immersion is a manifest change. This is the allegory to everyone that would be, and should be baptized by the Holy Ghost.  A complete surrender to the call of Christ, total abandonment of yourself, and full immersion into the belief of Jesus Christ. By which you take on the very nature of Christ through the Holy Spirit. As Paul says in Galatians 3:27 “for as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

Water is not necessary to this change.  The Bible tells us that there is one Lord, one Faith, and one Baptism.  The Lord is Jesus, the Faith is His faith, and the Baptism is His baptism; which is the baptism of the Holy Ghost. The baptism that makes Holy, and will keep you holy if you keep yourself “committed unto Him against that day.”  Have you received this baptism?