Sanctification - Part 3

We are still learning about the 6 Facts that will help us understand what the Bible teaches concerning Separation (or Sanctification).

Recap

In the last 2 studies, we learned Fact #1 - The Basis of Separation is found in the very nature and Character of God Himself; Holiness. God's holiness means 2 things:

1. That God is Separated from all that is created
2. God is separated from all that is sinful.

It is certainly impossible for the believer to be separated from all that is created, but the Believer is commanded to be separated from all that is sinful.

Today, we learn about Fact #2.

Fact #2. Each and every Believer is Separated.

1 Thessalonians 4:7. For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

• God has not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
• Holiness means Sanctification according to 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4, where the same word is used twice, and sanctification means to be set apart, being separated. Thus God called us to be separated unto Himself. (For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour).

Romans 1:1. Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God.

• According to Romans 1:1, what was Paul called to be? An Apostle.
• Was Paul indeed an Apostle? Yes (2 Corinthians 1:1. Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia. Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus)
• According to Romans 1:7, what were the believers in Rome called to be? Saints (To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ)
• Do you therefore think that the believers were truly saints? Yes. The word saint means a holy person, a set apart person, a separated person.

1 Corinthians 2:15-3:4. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

• Were the Corinthian believers spiritual or canal (fleshly)? They were carnal
• We are amazed to discover in 1 Corinthians 1:2, that these believers were called to be saints (Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both their's and our's).
• Not only that, but this verse also tells us that they were sanctified (set apart, separated) in Christ Jesus.
• In 1 Corinthians 1:30, we find that In Christ Jesus, these believers not only had wisdom, and righteousness and redemption, but they also had sanctification (separated, set apart), and justified (declared righteous).
• Therefore, according to the way these Corinthian believers lived, they were carnal, but according to the way God saw them IN CHRIST (1 Corinthians 1:2), they were sanctified.

Answer True or False

• Every Believer in the city of Corinth was living as a saint (living a life holy and separated unto God). False

• In Ephesians 1:1, and Philippians 1:1, the believers at Ephesus and Philippi were called Saints. If Paul were writing a letter to your church, he would probably start his letter as follows: Paul, to all the Saints (holy ones, set apart ones) who are in {{your city}}, Peace be unto you and Grace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The answer is True. Answer is in Colossians 1:1-2.

• In Hebrews 3:1, the believers are described by what two words? Holy Brethen

• In Colossians 3:12 (Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering), we learn that three things are true of every believer:

  • Every believer is Elected (chosen of God).
  • Every believer is Holy (separated or sanctified)
  • Every believer is Beloved (God loves us because we are in teh Beloved One). See Ephesians 1:6 (To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.), and Matthew 3:17. (And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased).

1 Peter 2:9. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

In 1 Peter 2:9, we discover four more things about believers.

• As believers, we are:
  • A chosen (elect) generation
  • A royal priesthood (Every believer is a priest and we can offer to God sacrifices described in Hebrews 13:15-16. By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased).
  • An holy nation
  • A perculiar people (a people of His own). Titus 2:14. Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

True or False

• Every believer is holy. True
• Every believer lives a holy life day by day. False. 2 Corinthians 7:1 (Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God). Colossians 3:8-9. (But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds).

As we learned earlier, the word holy means set apart, separated. To illustrate this meaning, let's consider the Bible, which is often called the Holy Bible.
In Romans 1:2, the Bible (especially the Old Testament) is called the Holy Scriptures. (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures).
To say that our Bible is holy does not mean that it never sins. A book can't sin (not even a dirty book). Only people can sin. Our Bible is Holy because it is set apart from all other books. It is the only God-breathed book. 2 Timothy 3:16. (All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness).
Thus the Bible is unique and different from any other book.
Now, let's apply this meaning to the believer in Christ. God says that every believer is holy. (Hebrews 3:1. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus). (Colossians 3:12. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering).
There fore every believer is set apart and has been made different. God has separated each and every believer.

Which of these statments are true (ignore if it is false).

1. Every Believer is holy. True
2. Every believer is set apart. True
3. Every believer is sanctified. True
4. Every believer is separated. True
5. Every believer has been made different (In Christ). True
6. Every believer lives a saintly life. False
7. Every believer lives a holy life. False