Chapter 7

Sanctification

  

            When we were in the world, we were destined for corruption. This was true, even if we were “good” people. When we came to Christ, we then became destined for holiness. We were set apart by God (sanctified). We were not supposed to engage in the things of the world. Most new Christians do good things for a while, but then eventually the things of the world cloud our vision. They tug on our hearts. When we listen to them rather than God, we start slipping away from what He destined us to live in. Following are some of the verses that show what we were meant to be in His Kingdom.

  

Calling/Chosen:

            Chosen before the foundation of the world:

Ephesians 1:4

4     just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him.

     

            How special we must be to Him … that He would select us from eternity past. He didn’t wait for us to do something to deserve His kindness. He didn’t even wait for us to ask Him to save us. He chose us long before there was an earth for us to live on, and He loved us into His Kingdom.

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "My children, you are so in My mind and in My heart continually. I wanted you to be a part of My family from long ages ago. I wanted you to be like Me in every way. That is why I sent My Son to die for you … that you might put on My righteousness and holiness forever. I have long awaited this hour; for you to come completely to Me and to take My holiness upon you. Then we can fellowship with each other from day to day. I did not save you just to turn My back on you. I saved you that you might have fellowship with Me day to day.”

            86. God chose me before the world was created. When He chose me, it was so that I might be holy and blameless. He wanted me to be like Him in all my thoughts and actions.

You Shall:

            We shall be witnesses:

Acts 1:8

8     but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.”

            This is not a suggestion; it is a declaration of fact. We unquestionably will be His witnesses once His Holy Spirit has come upon us. It does not say that we will go door to door witnessing (though that is a worthwhile endeavor), but that we will be His witnesses. We won’t be able to help ourselves. His power will shine through us and be a witness to others of what God has done for us and can do for them. We need to overcome any fear of what others will say or do. We also need training in how to share with others about Jesus.

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "I have chosen for you to be the ones that spread My Word to the world. I could have chosen angels, but instead chose My people. People would have been afraid of angels and come unto Me out of fear. But when you spread My Word, they come to Me out of love and desire for Me. When you go forth in My Spirit, I shall empower you with the very power of Heaven. This is the same power that raised My Son from the grave and seated Him beside Me. This power is not for you to think that you are something great but to bring others to Me. When you go in My Spirit, I go with you and empower you to do My will and to bring others into My Kingdom. You will lay hands on the sick, and they shall be made whole so that they will want to enter into My Kingdom. Trust in Me to provide whatever you need when you go forth in My name and in My Spirit.”

            85. Because I have received the power of the Holy Spirit, I shall be His witness wherever I go throughout the world. 

All Things:

            Lawful:

1 Corinthians 3:21-23

21     So then let no one boast in men. For all things belong to you,

     22     whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come; all things belong to you,

     23     and you belong to Christ; and Christ belongs to God.

1 Corinthians 6:12

12     All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything.

    

1 Corinthians 10:23

23     All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify.

     

            While all things may be lawful for the child of God, it does not mean that he/she should do them. There are many things that absolutely would not bring glory to God. That is, they would not edify (lift up) those around us. In fact, they can do just the reverse. We do not want to do anything that would dishonor the name of Jesus. Also, these things can take charge of our lives if we’re not careful. Paul said he would not be mastered by anything. Just like with someone who becomes an alcoholic, you don’t know whether it will be the first time or some later time that you do something that could bring you under its power. So we should avoid doing these things the first time and not take a chance on them becoming habitual.

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "I have set My children free … free to obey Me. There are not a lot of do’s and don’ts. I have but one commandment … that you follow My Spirit in your everyday life. He will show you what to do and what to say. If I had given you a bunch of commandments, you would strive to keep them and miss what I have for you to do. When you obeyed the commandments, you would have felt good and thought that you were pleasing to Me. When you disobeyed them, you would have felt bad and thought that you were displeasing to Me. You are not to judge yourself on what list of things that you do or don’t do. You are to judge yourself on whether or not you listen to My voice telling you what to do.”

            84. All things belong to me and all things are lawful for me to do. However, I will choose to do only those things that are profitable and that will edify myself and others.

Salt of the earth:

Matthew 5:13

23     “You are the salt of the earth,

     

            Jesus said that we are the salt of the earth. We are to add flavor wherever we go. What kind of flavor do you add to those around you? Some people actually seem to bring out the bad in others. Do you bring out the good or bad? We are to make people thirsty for His Kingdom. What do you make people thirsty for? Is it for His Kingdom, or for the things of the world? We are also to be a preservative in the earth. If the preservation of the earth depends on you, what kind of a chance does it have … good or bad?

If you could hear God speak to you, I believe this is what He would say:

            "You are My chosen ones to spread My Word to the world. You are to be examples to others of what I want in My people. You are to bring a good flavor wherever you go. You are to bring a desire in others to come unto Me. I have placed you strategically where you are needed most. Do not think that you have come to a place by accident. I have chosen where you are to live and where you are to work. You are Mine, and I have complete interest in your lives. Do not complain about the things and situations around you. I will show you if you are to be placed elsewhere. Until I do, trust in Me in the situations. I will show you what I want of you wherever you are and in whatever you do.”

            83. I am the salt of the earth. I will add flavor and be a preservative wherever I go.