Sanctification is something often neglected and not always well understood, we do not measure enough importance. Yet the texts of Scripture on this subject are very eloquent. It is included among the things we must look primarily because it is essential to stand before the Lord.
"Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord." Hebrews 12:14
The apostle Paul, writing to the disciples Thessaloniki, stressed on the will and God's call for holiness.
"What God wants is your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication; c is that each of you know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honor, without engaging in a passionate lust like the Gentiles who know not God, that person will exercise it to his brother for fraud and greed in business, because the Lord is the avenger of all these things, as we have said and certified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but unto holiness. Whoever therefore rejects these precepts does not reject man but God, who hath also given his Holy Spirit. "1 Thessalonians 3:1-8
The Lord Jesus Christ in his love for his Church, ie, for those who form the Assembly of Saints, members of his body, gave his life for this purpose.
"Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her to sanctify her by speech, having cleansed by baptism water, in order to appear before him this glorious church without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but holy and blameless. "Ephesians 5.25-27
On reading these words, we can already understand the important place of sanctification in the mind of God for those who are called according to His purpose.
"For whom he foreknew he also predestined to be similar to the image of his Son, that His Son might be the firstborn among many brethren. " Romans 8:29
Some preach a gospel of prosperity, God promised to make his children wealthy landowners. We also talk about freedom in worship to see the glory of God, gold dust, the visible presence of angels and golden oil on their hands or forehead, you gotta dance, make noise, scream , gesticulating, falling over, and so on. How sad!
was repeated untiringly that God is love, (true), he loves the sinners (that is also true) but you must specify the nature of divine love and Remember what Jesus said, in a certain category of people:
"Many will say to me that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? have we not cast out demons in Your name? and have we not done many wonders in Your name? Then I will declare to them: I've never known, remove yourself from me, ye that work iniquity. "Matthew 7.22,23
A key lesson in life balance spiritual is neglected and yet it is clearly expressed in the Bible: " what God wants is our sanctification! "
Jesus insists on the need to separate from evil, even in thought or intention.
"But I tell you that whoever looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:28
"If your hand causes you to sin, cut it is better for thee to enter life maimed, than having two hands to go into the hell, into the unquenchable fire.
If your foot causes you to sin, cut it is better for thee to enter life lame, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that quenched.
And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes and be thrown into Gehenna, where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. "Mark 9.43-48
sanctification as part of the precepts of the Lord, as we read the Apostle Paul:
"You know, what commandments we gave you from the Lord Jesus ...
Whoever therefore rejects these precepts does not reject man but God, who hath also given his Holy Spirit. " 1 Thessalonians 4:2 and 4:8
Sanctification, holiness of life is normal, for those whom God calls to be her children.
"As obedient children, do not comply with the desires you once had when you were in ignorance.
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all your conduct, as it is written: Be holy, for I am holy. "1 Peter 1.14-16
reflect on this scripture:
" without holiness no one can see the Lord." Hebrews 12.14
This sentence has a greater scope than what we usually think. We discern why it is possible to be deprived of the presence of God, the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, the testimony of a real communion with Christ and why our prayers may not be answered, as he is written in the prophet Isaiah:
"No, the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, his ear is not too hard to hear. Those are your sins that separate you from your God; what are your sins came away from you, which prevent you hear. "Isaiah 59:1,2
Another word should seriously concern us:
" And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. "Ephesians 4:30
It is certain that if we do not to sanctify us, if we are complacent with regard to sin, if our desire to please God is not a priority, there will be gaps in our communion with the Lord! This is a warning that we must take into account if we want to stand before Him.
"And you who once were alienated and enemies in your minds because of your evil deeds, he has now reconciled you by His death in the body of his flesh, (1-22) to make you appear before him holy, blameless and without reproach if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in faith, without shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard. " Colossians 1:21-23
we neglect sanctification for several reasons: new s are not sufficiently aware of its importance , we misunderstand the practice and finally we confuse with perfection. While we discourage our failures.
Sanctify yourselves!
is an imperative order of God!
"Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.
I am a father to you, and ye shall be my son and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. "2 Corinthians 6:17 ...
It is a command followed by a great and real promise, that of a blessed relationship between God our Father and we his children. I'm a father to you, and ye shall be my son and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.
Sanctify yourself is a task for us is our responsibility, it requires effort, a personal approach, although as we shall see later, we need the Spirit of God ; achieve. The word "sanctification" often gives rise to a misunderstanding, because we confound with perfection or perfect holiness. Perfect holiness is the quality of God Himself, He is perfect in all his nature. In his holiness, justice, goodness, mercy, patience, compassion, love.
"God is light, and that there is no darkness in him." 1 John 1:5
"Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was, is, and he comes! "Apocalypse 4:8
God, our heavenly Father is holy, perfectly holy, that is why we must sanctify and also because we were bought with a price ..
"If you invoke as Father him who judges according the work of everyone, without respect to persons, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your pilgrimage. Knowing that not with corruptible things, as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life that you inherited from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, destined before the foundation of the world, and manifest at the end of time, because of you, who by him do believe in God, who raised the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. " 1 Peter 1.14-21
(.. to follow ..)
(Source Pasteurweb)
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