SANCTIFICATION

Sanctification is a definite work in the heart of one who has been born again. This spiritual birth is called Justification and is likened to the birth of a child. 

Every child is born in sin

Psalm 51:5

"Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me"

When one is born again, or justified, he is pardoned and set free from committed sins.

Then he may partake freely of the living water. When Israel suffered for want of thirst, Moses struck the rock and brought forth water -- Living Water.

The rock typified Christ; the Water, living water.

Life giving water. Without it we die in our SIN.

John 4:10

Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Jesus told the woman at the well that if she would drink of the water that He would give

her, she would never thirst again! One drink of this water will forever slake the bitter, burning

thirst for the things of this world. Sanctification follows this experience of pardon and is cleansing from the sin principle. It removes the old Adamic nature we are born with. This takes out the root and branch of the old nature, leaving nothing to spring back and grow.

When Eve took of the fruit and gave to Adam, her mate, the human race was plunged into

sin. Before this, man was perfect and the Garden of Eden was a perfect place without mar or the curse of sin. God came down in the cool of the day to walk and talk with Adam. Sin separated man from fellowship with God.

David, of whom Christ was the root and offspring, cried out many centuries later:

Psalm 51:2

"Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin"

Although the natural line was through David, God was Jesus' Father and He was without the stain of original sin.

WE CAN WALK AS JESUS WALKED

Many will say, "You believe in human perfection." The Bible teaches Christian Perfection,

not human perfection. Adam was perfect and sinless -- yet he exercised his free will and fell into sin. Man possesses the same free will today. Every day is made up of choices whereby we may choose the will of God or our own will. Even after Sanctification, we choose to obey or disobey.

Perfect, sinless Adam exercised his will and sinned.

The sinless, sanctified one is still free to choose. He remains sinless through obedience.

Christ came in the flesh and proved to all that we can walk on this earth as He walked.

"as He is, so are we in this world" I John 4:17

Let us look deeper into the Word, so that we may reconcile the coming of Christ 

"in the Flesh" With the command that we must have a perfect walk here in this world.

"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us..." John 1:14

"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world" Titus 2:11-12.

Sinful man could never redeem himself, for he had a corrupt nature -- a stained sacrifice.

But Christ was the perfect sacrifice, without spot or blemish. Because He overcame (in the flesh just as we are), we can overcome through perfect obedience.

Sanctification is not a choice, but a command of God.

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect"

Matthew 5:48.

This is a portion of the sermon on the mount.

God does not give commandments that cannot be kept!

He commanded Adam and Eve not to take of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He could have put a wall around it with flaming swords to guard it. He did this later, after the transgression, to keep the way of the tree of life. But God had made them in His own image and given them a free choice. They were not to take of the fruit (a mandate), and they were to keep this commandment if they were to remain in the divine image of righteousness and holiness, as God had intended His creation to be. God wanted obedience then and He has not changed. God still wants obedience. "

“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” -- Matthew 22:37.

It is a choice of the will which we express through obedience.

God is calling His people to holiness.

There is a need to be anchored to Christ stronger than ever before. We are not only responsible for ourselves, but for others, also.

In these times, more than ever before, Christians need to be at war against the enemy.

Satan is going about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.

The child of God must prepare himself for battle; put on the whole armour of God, taking the sword of the Spirit which is the Word.

The only ones who will be able to endure are those with clean lives.

"The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger." -- Job 17:9.

It is a straight path.

John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ, came as a voice crying in the wilderness:

"Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight" -- Matthew 3:3.

Sanctification -- The way of holiness and perfection -- is a straight path and hardly any want to attain unto it. Many will try to perfect their attainments by reaching the top in business. They will spend their life and strength to excel in material gain. honor or fame. But how many are willing to spend their all to attain Christian Perfection? The Christian does not strive to get ahead of others. Rather, he strives to walk in that straight path that leads more and more unto the perfect day. It may seem they are doing all; and if you should ask, they might answer,

"Yes, I believe in holiness and Christian Perfection." 

 

They may quote all of the verses pertaining to the question.

They are, however, too "busy" to get to the depth of the study of the Word.

Yet, if you should ask them pointedly if they have the experience, they would be a little too annoyed with you to answer. They believe it, but have never diligently sought for the possession, nor sold all to buy the Pearl of greatest price.

Oh! that God would inspire us to live perfect!

The parable of the ten virgins: warns us of the awesome fate of those who are guilty of the sin of neglect. There were ten who awaited the coming of the Bridegroom. The word "virgin"means "an unmarried woman." Five were wise, for they had kept their integrity and their lamps were burning. Their robes were without spot or blemish. The other five were foolish, for their lamps had gone out. They were backslidden. The five wise virgins who had kept their garments went into the marriage, but the five foolish ones were left behind. Here is proof that they were not sanctified:

"For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren" -- Hebrews 2:11.

This parable is a picture of the professing church which, in outward form, is serving God, but is not watching for His coming. The members sleep the sleep of death, for their lamps are gone out and they are lost. They are transgressors, and except they arise and prepare their garments, they will be cast into outer darkness forever.

"Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" ... And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly . . ." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, 23.

Enter into the Presences of God

It was at the water laver that the priests washed their hands and feet before entering

into the holy places to minister.

Exod 30:20

When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:

John 13:5

After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.

Eph 5:26

That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word,

The Water Laver

The laver was placed in the Outer Court, before the entrance to the Holy Place. The Holy Place portrays the beautiful state of the sanctified soul.

To wash our hands and feet, before we can enter into the Holy place of God. The hands are a symbol of our work for the kingdom of God and our feet is a symbol of our walk with our Lord. All have to be wash as it says in the book of Ephesians with the Word of God. His Word will clean all sin before we can enter into His Presences.

HOW TO OBTAIN SANCTIFICATION

In seeking and obtaining Sanctification, consecration is necessary. Sanctification has a two-fold meaning. First, it is referred to in many places in the Bible as "set apart." It is the devotion of our life and service to God. We are in the world, but not of the world. Consecration means to set apart for a sacred office. We are not our own for we are bought with a price. The Bible in Deuteronomy, chapter 15, tells us that a slave was bought and then served his master six years, but in the seventh year God ordained that he must be set free.

"And it shall be, if he say unto thee, I will not go away from thee; because he loveth thee and thine house, because he is well with thee; Then thou shalt take an aul, and thrust it through his ear unto the door, and he shall be thy servant forever" -- Deuteronomy 15:16-17.

He is now a servant forever, but a willing, loving servant and not a bond servant. Pray that God will give you a picture of this in seeking Sanctification that you may see the beauty of holiness.

The Hebrew children were serving under a hard taskmaster. Then they were delivered out

and bought as servants, When we are saved, we are delivered from the taskmaster, Satan, and bought by Christ to serve God. We serve God then, but there comes a time when we are sanctified that we are dedicated and consecrated to a loving, willing service.

It's a land of perfect Love that casts out all fear.

The rich, young ruler came to Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him of the commandments that he must keep. All of these he had kept from his youth. Jesus looked on him and loved him.

Now comes the part that most people cannot stand:

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect"

Matthew 5:48.

The contention is: "Do you think you can be perfect?"

Jesus said to the ruler after he had told Him that he had kept the commandments:

“If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me"

Matthew 19:21.

He went away sorrowful for he had great possessions. This is the price that we face after we are walking in the light of Justification: God reveals the secret or inward parts. How much do people want purity and holiness today?

The price looks too great, even though they have confessed their sins and made things right.

After God has redeemed one, he oftentimes starts wandering in the wilderness as the children of Israel did.

However, God wants us to go quickly into Canaan Land and not fall into murmuring and complaining, or coveting after positions or honor as they did with Moses. They were led by a cloud by day and fire by night. When they reached the border of Canaan, the place was called Kadesh, which means "called to holiness." Later on, we see Barnea, which means "turned back," is added to Kadesh.

How many today when they are saved will not go on to Sanctification? It is the light we must walk in when God sheds it across our path.

The self-life must be destroyed. Ask God to show you "self" in your life. We are to walk as Christ walked, and not as men. If you will prayerfully search out and be willing to deny the self-life, God will make it plain to you.

If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Matthew 16:24.

To obtain Sanctification there must be a searching work of denying "self" and getting rid of the self-life so that Christ can take up His abode.

"For in him we live, and move, and have our being..." Acts 17:28.

Paul, the Apostle, said:

"I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me.”

Galatians 2:20.

Many who begin in the Spirit slip off into the flesh. This is because they have made allowance for it. Having begun in the Spirit, they now try to perfect the flesh; but the flesh cannot be perfected.

"Who can bring a clean thing out of an unclean? not one" Job 14:4

"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before

whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh? Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in vain" Galatians 3:1-4

There are many religious movements which claim spectacular things, but there is very little unity. Why? There is no Sanctification which brings oneness.

"But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness"

II Timothy 2:16

To gratify the flesh is to provide a way for the carnal man (which is the flesh) to mature

instead of the Spirit. To contend against the doctrine of Sanctification is to reveal the presence of carnality. The motive for contention is to make allowance for the flesh.

Romans 13:14

Mark it down that this is a sign! If one does not feel a deep need to be clean and holy, then he needs to be saved. One cannot go on to perfection with sin in his life.

"He that refuseth instruction despiseth his own soul " Proverbs 15:32

The answer for this dilemma is to walk in the light, the way, the truth, and clean up the

heart channels that keep us in touch with God.

"For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace"

Romans 8:6

We are strong with God only in the degree that 'self' is conquered and is dead.

He knows the beginning of our life to the end and all the pitfalls along the way, and we do not.

How do we know our plans and ideas are right?

We read in the Word that it is not in man to direct his steps, but that the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.

Romans 6:11

Only by faith will the work be done after you have met God's requirements. Then, and only then, can we present our bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is our reasonable service.

He will give you the witness when Sanctification is received.

A Christian grows in wisdom, knowledge, patience and faith; just as Christ grew in wisdom, knowledge and in favor with God and man. Sanctification is not an idea out of the mind of man, nor does it come by chance to a Christian. We must seek to find it. Knock on its door and it will be open to you. You and I are the recipients.

It is Sanctification that is the prerequisite of the Bride of Christ, It is only through heart purity that she shall be counted worthy to be joined to her heavenly Bridegroom. Jesus prayed that His people might be one. In essence, this was His prayer: "Father, just as I am one with thee and thou with me, give them that same oneness with each other, that they may also be one in us. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world; but they are mine and I have kept them in thy name. Now Father, sanctify them that they all may be one. The glory which thou gavest me I have given them. Make them one, that the world may know that thou hast sent me."

The prayers of Jesus were always answered. "And I knew that thou hearest me always."

John 11:42.

We see the answer on the day of Pentecost. They were all of one accord in one place.

Only 120 were there out of all the teeming multitudes that thronged about Him as He walked among them. It is a "hard saying" to most, and it was this that once prompted the astonished Peter to ask:

"Lord, are there few that be saved?" Luke 13:23.

It was then that they were baptized with the Holy Ghost -there in that upper room where just a little flock lost themselves in travail of soul, longing for the Comforter that had been promised. It is when we are sanctified and of one accord with Christ and with His true Church (the sanctified ones) that we can receive the Baptism of the Holy Ghost. God will not fill a vessel that is unclean (unsanctified).

My Prayer is that we all will be sanctified and filled with the Holy Spirit…

I have to say sadly that I have only seen just a couple of people that have truly been filled with the Holy Spirit…

Please be one of the next to receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, go to our Lord completely clean of sin and then let go of your flesh and open yourself to Jesus to fill you with Power and Glory in the Spirit of His Holiness. Reading the Word out load, your favorite verses and faith will rise up in you as it did me and before I knew it the Glory and Power of the Spirit was flowing through me where I burst out in tongues.