💡
Join me as I do a refresh of basic doctrinal topics of the gospel, these are personal study notes. KJV is used for Bible references.

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

Fact 2 - That God is Separated from all that is created, and 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 3.

Fact number 3. Each and every believer, because he is separated, is responsible to live a separated life

This means that God expects saints to live like saints. Because we have been separated unto God, we are to live separated lives.

Ephesians 4:1. I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called.

Paul says he beeseches the brethren that ye walk worthy of the vocation to which ye are called. The word vocation means calling. Thus the Lord wants us to walk worthy of the calling to which we have been called.

As believers in Christ, we have a great calling. When God saved us, He separated us and called us unto Himself. According to 1 Corinthians 1:9, what have we been called unto? the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord).

The Bible describes this wonderful calling in 3 ways: As believers in Christ, we have a:

  1. High calling of God. Philippians 3:14 (I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus)
  2. Heavenly calling. Hebrews 3:1. (Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus)
  3. Holy calling. 2 Timothy 1:9. (Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began)

According to 1 Thessalonians 4:7, what has God called us unto? unto holiness. (For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.)

Does God want us to walk worthy of our calling? Yes. Ephesians 4:1. (I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called)

The word worthy in Ephesians 4:1 comes from another word which means to weigh. In Bible times, scales were used for weighing. The standard weight was put on one side and the product to be measured (grain, fruit, etc) was put on the other side. When the scales were even and balanced, then everyone knew that the proper amount had been measured out. Thus the word worthy carried the idea of being balanced and equal.

Study the illustration at the bottom of the page. Is the standard weight of 5 pounds balanced with the amount of slat that is on the scale? No.
Is the amount of salt worthy of the 5 pund weight? No. For the scales to be balanced and equal, how many more pounds of salt must you add to make the salt worthy of the weight? 2 pounds.

worthy.jpg

Consider again Ephesians 4:1. To walk worthy means that our walk (our life) should be balanced and equal with our calling. What kind of calling do we have a Holy calling according to 2 Timothy 1:9. Therefore, our holy calling should be balanced by what kind of life? a holy walk. See illustration of this truth.

holy calling.jpg

  • True or False. All believers are holy. Thus the believer should live a holy life. True.
  • True or False. All believers are separated. Thus the believer should live a life that is separated. True.
  • True or False. All believers are set apart. Thus the believer should live a life that is set apart. True.
  • Were the Ephesian believers called saints? Yes. (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)
  • Because they were saints, were they to walk as saints? Yes. (*Ephesians 5:3. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints).
  • Were all the believers in Rome called to be saints by God? Yes. (Romans 1:7. 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.)
  • Did God expect them to live lives that were saintly? Yes. (Romans 16:2. That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also.)
  • Does the Lord expect aged Christian women to live saintly lives? Yes. (Titus 2:3. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things)
  • True or False. I know that I am a saint, and that God has called me to Himself with a holy calling, and by His grace, I want to live a holy and separated life so that others might know that I belong to the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. True.

The great problem comes when we disobey Ephesians 4:1, and we don't walk worthy of our calling. Even though we are saints (as God sees us in Christ), we sometimes don't talk like saints as we live day by day. See how this is illustrated.
unbalanced walk.jpg

As you compare these last two illustrations, you notice that our calling never changes. Who is the One who has called us? God (1 Corinthians 1:9. God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord).
Does He ever change? No. (Malachi 3:6. For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed).

Find one Word in 1 Thessalonians 4:3 that describes what God's will for your life is: For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

That word is sanctification.

We have already learned that this word means (which is the correct answer?):
*a. Being without sin (sinless).
*b. Being declared right (justified).
*c. Being set apart and separated unto the Lord
*d. Being God's child forever.

The answer is c.

  • Which of the above 3 answers are true of the believer in Christ right now? give the 3 correct letters: The answer is: b, c, d.

  • Which answer will only be true on the day of our final redemption? Answer is: a (Ephesians 1:14. Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.), (Ephesians 4:30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption)

  • "The will of God" in 1 Thessalonians 4:3 means that which God desires and wants for every believer. In 1 Peter 1:15-16, what one word describes the kind of a life that God wants and desires for us? holiness. (1 Peter 1:15-16. But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy).

  • True or False. God does not expect us to live a holy life day by day because He knows that we could never do it. False.

According to 2 Timothy 2:19, if a person claims to be a Christian, what should he do? depart from iniquity. (Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.)

Does the lord know which people truly belong to Him? Yes.
IN verse 21, we learn that the Christian is to be a vessel unto honour, sanctified (set apart) and meet (fit) for the Master's use.

  • Who is your Master and Absolute Owner? The Lord Jesus Christ.
  • When you set your table for dinner, do you use dirty dishes or clean? Of course clean.
  • Do you think that the Master can use us for His glory if we are vessels that are unclean and impure and unholy? No
  • Therefore, according to 2 Corinthians 7:1, we should do what? cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God (fearing to do anything that will not please Him). We can then yield (present) our members servants (slaves) to righteousness (right living, right thinking, right speaking, right acting), unto God. (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.)

Romans 6:19. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
Romans 6:22. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Also, we can follow after (run after, pursue, chase after) peace and holiness. (Hebrews 12:14. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord)

  • True or False. Every believer has a holy calling. True.
  • True or Falase. Every believer has a holy walk. False.
  • True or False. God demands that our WALK be as holy as our CALLING. True. (Ephesians 4:1. I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called)