Santification

Sanctification

A boy had cerebrated his tenth birthday that day, therefore, at bedtime, his mother thought it was time for him to move on from the prayer she had taught him when he first learned to speak. That night as the boy’s mother sat beside his bed, she told him that he was old enough for him to talk to God about was on the boy’s mind. So, the boy prayed, “God it is alright if you do not make me a better boy; I am having a good time just as I am. Amen.” That is how many Christians act today.

I have often spoken about basic Christianity and saving grace. That is the first step in being a Christian. The actual number of steps are preceding grace, saving grace and sanctifying grace. Since you all have past the age of understanding you have experienced the preceding grace of your childhood, and I believe all of you have accepted Christ, that is, you have experienced saving grace; it is time to be about doing what God wants you to do, that is leading a sanctified life. Therefore, today I am going to give you more details about what the scriptures have to say about growing in holiness, your sanctification. Listen carefully to our scripture for today: 1st Thessalonians 4:-3a, “1 Finally, brothers and sisters, we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus that, as you learned from us how you ought to live and to please God … you should do so more and more. 2 For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification ….” Paul is telling the Thessalonians to learn how [they] ought to live … to please God … [they] should do so more and more … [to be] sanctify[ed]. Sanctification is you experiencing all of the joy God wants for you, His children, to feel. God wants you to do this not only for our own good but for the good of our friends and neighbors.

What is going on in America today: In 1950, 90% of Americans said that they were Christians. Monday, I read the latest survey by the Pew Research Center that said that that 90% has fallen to 70%. 70% of Americans say that they are Christians, that number includes Protestants, Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, et cetera. Only 41% of professing Christians are regular church attendees. That number has declined 5% in the last five years.

Even though we have seen a significant decline in the number of believers, in witnessing and in Christian works, still the majority of Americans say that they are Christians. Why then are our news stories full of political scandals, our television entertainment full of sinful trash, why is the internet polluted, why is drug use prevalent, illegitimate births high, divorce, why? I believe it is because most Christians do not take their Christianity seriously. Thus, Christian witnessing is almost nonexistent and Christian works are diminishing.

We are the salt; Christ said that salt that has lost its savor is no good but to be thrown out. Just a little slat goes a long way. Did you ever have green beans without salt? We Christians are the salt that makes society work. Without active Christians, our society falls apart.

Think about it, when is the last time you saw someone witness to even one person or saw many people directly involved in some Christian works? Answering our today’s scripture, are many people trying to live “how [they] ought to live … to please God … [are they doing] so more and more”? Why so few sanctified Christians?

I think that is in part because Christians understanding and need of sanctifying goes wanting. Many preach being saved but do not mention moving on what today’s scripture calls for, that is how you ought to live … to please God … you should do so more and more … your sanctification.

Sanctification deals with consecration and holiness. Sanctification has to do with our nature, our character and our conduct. In justification, Christ declares us righteous in order that we were readied to move on to sanctification, growing in righteousness, and God’s further work in us. Justification puts us into a right relationship with God; sanctification calls for you to become more like Christ. Far too few Christians are seem interested in being more like Christ if that takes any effort on their part.

The Old Testament discuses sanctification, in its various forms, at least 400 times. In the Old Testament, the root word is kadash (ka-dash) which means, "to separate,” to separate from sinful habits and actions. 115 times the writers of New Testament used the word sanctify meaning, “to be holy,” to be holy as Christ was holy.