Sanctified

SANCTIFIED - Part 1

Good Morning,

In the Bible, sanctification is often mentioned.  To be sanctified means to be set apart, but the word sanctified is a two-fold word; it also means to be separated from one thing to another thing.  To sanctify means to set something apart for a purpose.  In our early years at Faith Baptist Church, we met in a rented hall.  The building served as a dance hall on Saturday, but it was set apart as a church on Sunday and Wednesday — it was SANCTIFIED on those days.  On Sundays and Wednesdays, no dancing took place and no booze was consumed — for it was SET APART from the worldly activity and SET APART unto God.  

The first mention of the word sanctify was in reference to Saturday or the Sabbath — a day set apart by the Lord (just as Sunday became the day set apart for the Lord and His people in the New Testament).  

Genesis 2:3 “And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”

At one point in history, God also sanctified the firstborn of each family:

Exodus 13:2 “Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.”

When it comes to believers getting close to the Lord, God uses the Bible to set us apart.  Without Bible reading, we will end up worldly and become far from what we should be.  

John 17:17 “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

As believers, we are to be set apart unto the Lord, to walk away from the garbage of this world.  Paul said there were many things that they had been sanctified FROM, things they left behind so they might be separated unto the Lord.  

1 Corinthians 6:11 “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”

To be set apart or sanctified brings the question regarding modern churches.   What are they sanctified “FROM?”  People in modern churches casually drink liquor and frequent movie theaters and casinos.  Their television shows and entertainment are a little different from their unsaved neighbors, and Bible reading (if they were honest) rarely takes place.  Just what is the modern church set apart FROM, and what are they set apart TO?   Sanctification is two-fold, away from one thing and unto another.  From what does the modern church set itself apart?  What do they do differently from their good neighbors?  I know that many people attend church, but what is different in their daily lives that sets them apart?  

Have we set ourselves apart from the world in fashion?  In music?  In social activities?  Are we set apart in the kind of friends or education our children receive?  Have we set ourselves apart from gambling, booze, or any worldly pleasure in order that we might be wholly set apart UNTO Christ and His kingdom?    Have we set ourselves apart UNTO Bible reading, witnessing, family Bible time, and prayer?  Has our speech been sanctified?   Have we turned from our vulgar conversation and brought in talk about God and righteousness?  

The word sanctify is another form of the word HOLY.   We all know that believers are to be HOLY or set apart.

Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

When Paul writes that we are saved for the purpose of being HOLY, he means we are set apart unto God.

Ephesians 1:4 “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:”

The modern form of religion is little more than a false front, a religious action performed once in a while on Sunday while living like the world during the remainder of the week — that is far from being SET APART.  

Jesus set Himself apart (or sanctified Himself) for the express purpose that we might follow His example and be sanctified as well.  

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

A worldly life is not at all pleasing to the Saviour, for His desire is that we might follow in His steps.  

Pastor