How Holy Matters
Sanctification – Part 2
Scripture Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22
Key Verse: 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
In the Old Testament, when a priest would sanctify some article for the temple, he would set it apart for that use exclusively. They would never dream of using a utensil that was sanctified for temple use and still use it for their own personal use. To sanctify something was to make it for a single purpose, a sacred purpose.
When we are sanctified, God not only cleanses our hearts, He also sets us aside for His sacred purposes. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). God has plans for you. He wants exclusive rights over you.
Our work in this sanctifying process is simply to allow Jesus to be ruler over everything in us and about us. The Apostle Peter wrote, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord” (1 Peter 3:15). Once we sincerely grant God permission and make this surrender to His Lordship, He does the work in us. The word “lord” is clear as far as function. The “lord” of a house is the final word in every decision. The “lord” of a region rules the people without question. Have you determined that Christ will be Lord over your life? Before answering too quickly, you must realize that you are no longer in control; you relinquish that control to Him. Every purchase you make is subject to His approval. Every event you attend must be approved by God’s Spirit.
Father, I surrender to your rule over me. I set my life apart from the world to give you exclusive rights. Sanctify me wholly and holy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.