Future Focus Present Faithfulness Series Pt 6
“Pursue Sanctification”
Review
A holy life is one whose direction comes from the principles and purposes of Scripture. A future focus motivates us to think about how we are living today. What does our life communicate to those around us? Does our way of life reflect God’s ways or the ways of this world? Our activities, words, attitudes, conversations, dress? Hebrews 12 draws attention to three specific life goals to consider as individuals and as a church family. This is a purpose directed life. It is my hope that they will guide the direction of our church family throughout the year.
a) Promote Healing among the body
Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.
First, “restore” the wounded; the paralyzed; the lame.
Second, make smooth paths to walk on that will enable continued healing.
b) Pursue peace with ALL men
God directs us to aggressively and passionately initiate and pursue peace making.
We are to passionately pursue peace with all men.
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9
The nature of God’s children is to pursue peace. When you see someone passionately pursuing peace, it is natural to assume they must be related to the King of peace.
Introduction
There are times when the reality of our relationship with God feels fuzzy. We struggle to grasp the wonder, the enormity of the transforming power of that relationship. We sing songs like, “I want to see Your face”, “I want to know You more”, “I want to see Jesus”. Yet, if we were honest, the reality falls short of the yearning. The glare of this world often distracts from the deeper glory of relationship with Christ. Our third life pursuit provides a clue to deeper relationship with God.
c) Pursue purity (sanctification)
The writer of Hebrews insists every follower of Christ passionately pursue that which will enable us to fully see or perceive the Lord.
Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. Heb 12:14
Jesus also affirmed the necessity of a pure walk.
"Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8
Interestingly we find the two concepts of peace and purity linked throughout Scripture.
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. Romans 14:17-19
Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2 Timothy 2:22
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
The same verb used regarding “peace” also applies to “sanctification.” It is a present/active/imperative/2nd person plural.
Personally engage in a continual passionate pursuit of sanctification.
It is a divine directive not a divine suggestion.
It is every believer’s spiritual obligation not an option.
It is addressed to ALL believers. It is not just the pastor’s job to pursue sanctification.
The 28 of the 44 occurrences of the word for “pursue” are translated “persecute” - indicating the intensity of the activity. Go after it with a passionate focus. Focus on laying hold of it. Give your time and energy to its achievement. God intended this to be a family pursuit. It is also something we are to pursue together as a church family. The mutual nature of this effort is reinforced by the instruction that directly follows concerning how we all must look out for three peace and purity breakers. “Seeing to it that no one among you…”
What exactly are we to jointly pursue? “Sanctification” It is hard to pursue something you don’t understand. I hope to remedy that today. In order to passionately pursue “sanctification” we must first understand it. Sanctification is essential to experience deep relationship with God.
It is something required of everyone and anyone who wishes to have such a relationship.
“…without which no one will see the Lord.”
The writer uses a word that goes beyond the physical ability to see something or someone.
This word for “see” emphasizes the idea of perception, recognition, understanding, experience.
We need to passionately pursue “sanctification” in order to increase our perception and recognition and personal experience of the Lord. Without it you cannot see God. A clear perception of God can only be achieved with a pure heart. This is to be a lifelong pursuit.
We must continually and passionately pursue the “purity” (sanctification) necessary to relate to the Lord as we must continually and passionately pursue the peace necessary to relate to people.
The core concept of the word means, "to be set apart and purified for special use." Both the Old and New Testament terms associated with this truth communicate the same general thought or idea. The English words translated from the original languages include: sanctification, sanctify, saint, holy, holiness, consecrate, dedicate. All these come from the same root Hebrew and Greek words. Related concepts would include purification, purity, cleansing, becoming like Christ, righteous living, transformation, renewal, obedience.
The word applies both to people and things. Items to be used in the tabernacle and later the temple were “sanctified” in that they were utensils and objects purified and set aside only and specially for worship. Anything set aside and designated for a particular or special use was considered "sanctified."
The priests submitted to rigorous cleansing and purification rituals and ceremonies because they were assigned to represent sinful people before a Holy God. Holiness is one of God’s most oft cited attributes. God is infinitely separated from all that is contrary to His own moral law.
He is unique. He is absolutely pure. This absolute separation for all that is evil is His unchangeable nature. The most intimate of relationships develop out of a pure heart and life.
Impurity whether, physical, emotional, moral, spiritual, thoughts, attitudes or words destroy relationships. When there is nothing between, relational intimacy flourishes.
Without this level of purity, there can be no intimacy with God. This is the purity without which we cannot truly experience intimacy with God. Our sin continually separates us and God.
Sanctification is the process of transforming a depraved sinful son of Adam into a Christlike Son of God at all levels of their being (body, soul and spirit) for all time so that true relationship with God can exist.
Scripture views this all-encompassing purifying process in three stages.
? A finished work
? A final work
? A formational work
All three members of the Trinity participate in this most crucial process to make us fit to join their holy community and live forever in perfect relationship with Them. Only sanctified people will be admitted to this most holy place. It is a work of God in us and for us and yet, as we observe in this verse, we also bear an active responsibility in this continual purification process.
The finished and final work appears to rest in God’s hands. The formational work includes participation on our part in the sanctification process.
The Finished work
By His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, so that, just as it is written, "LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD." 1 Corinthians 1:30-31
Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11
Paul used point action passive verbs for all three works of God which indicates a work done to us and in us at a point in time. It is a work already seen as complete!
By His will we have been sanctified (perfect passive) through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Hebrews 10:10
Perfect passive verb indicates a work done to us or in us by God at point in the past with lasting results. God purified us and we are still purified through the once-for-all sacrifice of Christ.
When and how did this happen?
that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified (perfect Passive) by faith in Me.' Acts 26:16-18
God forgives and purifies on the basis of our faith in the work of Christ.
Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Jesus Christ and be sprinkled with His blood: May grace and peace be yours in the fullest measure. 1 Peter 1:1-2
At the moment of belief, a core part of our being gets purified by the cooperative work of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit so that we may have instant intimate relationship with Him.
It is a work that makes it possible for us to enter God’s holy presence at any moment as holy (sanctified) and blameless children of God. At any time, we are able to come boldly before the throne of grace to receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. No extra work. No purgatory. No special ritual!
… let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, our hearts having been sprinkled clean (perfect passive) from an evil conscience and our bodies having been washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-22
In one sense we have already been sanctified. We have already been purified and cleansed at the core level of our being by the Holy Spirit. He has put new desires, new longings, a heart for God and people. By faith our hearts have been purified for a sincere love of God and people.
The Final work
In another sense this work has yet to be finalized by God at the coming of Christ.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Phi 1:6
The formational work
Scripture also sees our purification as a work in progress that calls for our continual cooperation.
But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool, because by one sacrifice he has made perfect (perfect tense verb) forever those who are being made (present passive) holy.
Heb 10:14
He has perfected us and yet coordinates a continual daily purification. It is at this level, we are called to cooperate with God’s determination to make us like His Son. In fact, holiness is the destiny of every follower of Christ.
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, become (passive) holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE (future point time) HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY." 1 Peter 1:13-16
We will be wholly and completely like Jesus at every level of our being. We can either cooperate and experience deeper relationship as we go, or we can resist Him and be miserable.
Interestingly, such divine and human cooperation appear in the same passage in John’s letter.
Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him (His determination), because we will see Him just as He is. And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself,(our discipline) just as He is pure.
1 John 3:2-3
Here, John appeals to the final work of purification at the return of Christ (we shall be like Him) as the motivation to continually cooperate (purify ourselves) with God’s work in the present age. Our present passage also calls us to continually and passionately pursue God’s cleansing work. Paul encouraged the Corinthians followers of Christ to live sanctified lives and set themselves apart from the world and align with the God who promises to be our Father.
Therefore, having these promises (of intimate relationship with the Father), beloved, let us cleanse ourselves (every chance we get) from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness (continual action) in the fear of God. 2 Cor 7:1
What soap takes care of flesh and spirit defilement? What can wash away our daily dirt?
How do we cooperate with the Trinity’s cleansing work in our life?
The Father cleanses and prunes that we may manifest the evidence of our true Sonship.
Earlier the writer of Hebrews called for us to lay aside every encumbrance and sin. Gratefully submit to the Father’s training and discipline. Are you having trouble seeing the Lord?
Perhaps some things in your life cloud your vision.
Look at yourself & present yourselves and your whole being to God.
Therefore stop letting sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and stop presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. Rom 6:12-13
… For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. Romans 6:19
…having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life. Romans 6:22
We become slaves to whoever we give ourselves to. Who reigns in your mortal body?
What are you giving your life to? Is your life a weapon for God’s purposes or a tool in the hands of the enemy? If we choose to serve sin – lawlessness proliferates. If we choose to serve God – purity results.
Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. Rom 13:14
It is God’s will that we live sanctified lives. He called us to reflect His character in a dark world; that includes body, soul and spirit.
For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God; and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you. 1 Thess 4:3-8
Look at the promise of God and trust Him.
You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? Galatians 3:1-5
Just as we could not save our selves and had to trust God to do what we couldn’t, we cannot perfect ourselves and make ourselves like Christ but must trust God to do what we can’t.
Look at the transforming cleansing Word of God and obey it.
Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord. 1 Peter 2:1-3
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will. Rom 12:2
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she would be holy and blameless. Ephesians 5:25-27
God recorded His words to teach truth, reprove, correct and give instruction in holy living that we might become effective vessels. How much exposure are you getting to the Word of God?
Are you letting His word daily cleanse your thinking? Along with the blood of Christ it is the ONLY effective soul cleansing agent.
Look at the glory of the Lord and be filled with His Spirit
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed (present passive) into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
How much time do you concentrate on the glory of the Lord? Transformation comes from a continual focus on Jesus.
Run with endurance by fixing your eyes on Jesus the author and perfector of faith. Heb 12
The Holy Spirit transforms us as we give ourselves to looking to Jesus. Walk in the Spirit and you will not fulfill the drives of the flesh. Don’t be controlled and numbed out by external things but be directed and energized by the Spirit.
Look for help from one another and admit your need
Scripture continually addresses the need to come along side one another. Accountability, encouragement, strengthening, teaching, sharing, lifting up, confessing sins to one another
The hymn we sang earlier contains many of these things we just mentioned.
“Take Time to Be Holy”
Verse 1
Take time to be holy Speak oft with thy Lord
Abide in Him always And feed on His Word
Make friends with God's children Help those who are weak
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek
Verse 2
Take time to be holy The world rushes on
Spend much time in secret With Jesus alone
By looking to Jesus Like Him thou shalt be
Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see
Verse 3
Take time to be holy Let Him be thy Guide
And run not before Him Whatever betide
In joy or in sorrow Still follow thy Lord
And looking to Jesus Still trust in His word
Verse 4
Take time to be holy Be calm in thy soul
Each thought and each motive Beneath His control
Thus led by His Spirit To fountains of love
Thou soon shalt be fitted For service above
You want to know God more intimately. The more extensive the purity, the deeper the intimacy. What stands between you and the Lord?
NOTHING BETWEEN
Chorus 1
Nothing between My soul and the Savior So that His blessed Face may be seen
Nothing preventing The least of His favor Keep the way clear Let nothing between
Verse 1
Nothing between My soul and the Savior nothing of this world's Delusive dream
I have renounced All sinful pleasure Jesus is mine There's nothing between
Verse 2
Nothing between Like worldly pleasure Habits of life Though harmless they seem
Must not my heart From Him ever sever He is my all There's nothing between
Verse 3
Nothing between Like pride or station Self or friends Shall not intervene
Though it may cost me Much tribulation I am resolved There's nothing between
Verse 4
Nothing between Even many hard trials Though the whole world Against me convene
Watching with prayer And much self denial Triumph at last With nothing between
Reflect on today’s truth.
Repent of whatever the Spirit of God has brought to your attention.
Resolve to make the changes needed to come under obedience.
Prayer for Sanctification
Thank you Father, Son and Holy Spirit for Your gracious cleansing work in my life. Thank You for the once-for-all sacrifice Jesus made to cleanse me and invite me into fellowship with You. Without that gift, I could not be talking to You today. It is clear that I don’t always reflect Your glorious character. I acknowledge my need for daily cleansing. Empower me to take an honest and courageous look at my own heart and life. Help me be open to address the areas of my life that displease You and hurt those around me. I am tired of presenting my members to sinful purposes and becoming enslaved to my own fleshly passions. I again present myself to you; all that I am and can be. You have given me new life; the very life of Christ and I want that life to count for you now, here, today not just someday. I offer myself to You again as well as all of my members as channels for Your use as You see fit for Your kingdom. My mind, my emotions, my skills, my education, my work, my experiences, all my capacities and talents and earthy resources I yield again to You.
I realize that I cannot live a Christian life without Christ. Just as I trusted You to save me when I could not save myself, I trust You to sanctify me as I cannot sanctify myself and more than I could save myself.
I resolve to increase my exposure to Your word. I realize my thinking gets terribly twisted by the continual flood of lies that saturate every corner of this fallen world. I will read, study, listen and hide your word in my heart in order to cleanse and renew my mind and prevent me from sinning against You.
I surrender my life to the work of Your Holy Spirit who lives in me and continually cleanses me. I acknowledge my need for a power outside of myself to keep my mind focused on You and truly see and understand Your glory to point where it profoundly impacts my daily life not just on Sundays. I long to be transformed more and more into the image of Jesus every day, so direct and empower me today.
Help me to humble myself and ask for help from others. Help me be willing to admit my need for others and listen to their counsel.
I really do want to see you more. I want more love, more power, more of You in my life and it can’t happen apart from my daily cooperation with Your sanctifying work in my life.
Let there be nothing between My soul and You blessed Savior. So that Your blessed face may be seen.Nothing preventing the least of Your favor. Help me keep the way clear and let nothing between.
