The Significance of Being A Christian - Consecrated To God

"THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BEING A CHRISTIAN“

Consecrated To God Consecrated To God

INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

We have begun to see that there is much significance to being a Christian.

A Christian is “a person reborn““a person reborn“, experiencing a new creation that leads

to a new life.


He now “belongs to the Lord”“belongs to the Lord”, God's special child that lives as a pilgrim.

Who sojourns in this world “living by “living by

faith”faith”, trusting in the Lord and being a trustworthy servant.


Another significant fact about being a Christian involves the concept of

“sanctification”.“sanctification”. The words "sanctify" and "sanctification" are translated from the

Greek "hagiazo" {hag-ee-ad'-zo}


It means to make holy, to set apart for a special purpose; related words include

holiness, consecration, saint. As we shall see, this pertains to both our

standing before God and our conduct before God.


Thus a Christian is “Consecrated To “Consecrated To

God“God“.As we take a closer look at this aspect of being a Christian, let's first consider.

THE PROGRESS OF SANCTIFICATIONTHE PROGRESS OF SANCTIFICATION

ALL CHRISTIANS ARE SANCTIFIED...

PROGRESS OF SANCTIFICATIONPROGRESS OF SANCTIFICATION

Some understand sanctification as "all at once" or "in two stages.“

E.g., the Wesleyan concept of "entire sanctification“

Some even suggesting that once "sanctified", one can no longer sin.


The necessary implication of such doctrines is that some Christians are

sanctified while others are not.The Biblical evidence suggests

otherwise:


The church at Corinth was made of people...Who were "sanctified in Christ

Jesus" 1 Corinthians 1:2 NET to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are

sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be saints, with all those in every place who

call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours.


Who had been "sanctified" 1 Corinthians 6:11 NET Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified,

you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Note the past tense.


Yet many of these people were still "infants in Christ" and "of the flesh."1 Corinthians 3:1 NET So, brothers and sisters, I could not

speak to you as spiritual people, but instead as people of the flesh, as infants

in Christ.


2 I fed you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready. In fact, you are still not ready, 3 for you are still influenced

by the flesh.


For since there is still jealousy and dissension among you, are you not

influenced by the flesh and behaving like unregenerate people? They were filled

with jealousy and dissension. They were acting carnally, as mere men


Thus, while Christians may not be perfect, they are still called "saints“ Note the use

of the word "saint" in addressing all Christians. Romans 1:7 NET To all those

loved by God in Rome, called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our

Father and the Lord Jesus Christ!


1 Corinthians 1:2 NET to the church of God that is in Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, and called to be saints, with

all those in every place who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord

and ours.


Philippians 1:1 NET From Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints

in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.


Colossians 1:2 NET to the saints, the faithful brothers and sisters in Christ, at

Colossae. Grace and peace to you from God our Father! Because they had been "set apart" to be "God's holy people" it was appropriate to be called "saints"


1 Peter 2:9 NET But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people of his own, so that you may proclaim the virtues of the one who called you out of

darkness into his marvelous light.

““BEING SANCTIFIED”BEING SANCTIFIED”

This pertains to our standing before God, we are blessed to be considered His holy

people. CHRISTIANS ARE ALSO “BEING SANCTIFIED”“BEING SANCTIFIED”

Sanctification is an on-going process


Those in Christ are ““BEING SANCTIFIED”BEING SANCTIFIED”

Hebrews 2:11 ACV For both he who sanctifies and those being sanctified are all of one,

because of which reason he is not ashamed to call them brothers,


It begins at conversion, and continues as we grow in the faith. As Paul prayed for the Thessalonians: 1 Thessalonians 5:23

MKJV And may the God of peace Himself sanctify you, and may your whole spirit

and soul and body be preserved blamelessly at the coming of our Lord

Jesus Christ.


Thus Christians are to pursue sanctification (holiness) As the

Hebrews were admonished. Hebrews

12:14 NET Pursue peace with everyone, and holiness, for without it no one will

see the Lord.


As Paul commanded the Corinthians. 2 Corinthians 7:1 NET Therefore, since we

have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that could defile the body and the spirit, and

thus accomplish holiness out of reverence for God.


Because God is holy, so we are to be holy in our conduct. 1 Peter 1:15 NET but, like the

Holy One who called you, become holy yourselves in all of your conduct, 16 for it is written, "You shall be holy, because I

am holy."


This pertains to our conduct before God, our responsibility to live holy

lives. God has therefore called Christians to be holy, set apart,

sanctified. In obeying the gospel we have been sanctified;


but if we are truly “Consecrated To “Consecrated To

God”God”, then we will pursue and perfect our holiness (i.e., our consecration). To assist us in this goal, consider:

THETHE PROCESS OF SANCTIFICATIONPROCESS OF SANCTIFICATION

SANCTIFICATION IS THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.

Note how sanctification is tied in with the work of the Holy Spirit:

PROCESS OF SANCTIFICATIONPROCESS OF SANCTIFICATION

"sanctified by the Holy Spirit" Romans 15:16 NET to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. I serve the gospel of God like a priest, so that the Gentiles may become an acceptable offering, sanctified by the

Holy Spirit.


"sanctified...by the Spirit of our God" 1 Corinthians 6:11 NET Some of you once lived this way. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit

of our God.


"sanctification by the Spirit“2 Thessalonians 2:13 NET But we ought to thank God always for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God

chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and

faith in the truth.


"the sanctifying work of the Spirit" 1 Peter 1:2 ISV the people chosen according to the

foreknowledge of God the Father through the sanctifying work of the Spirit to be obaedient to Jesus Christ and to be

sprinkled with his blood. May grace and peace be yours in abundance!


The Holy Spirit naturally has an important role in our on-going

sanctification. Because He was instrumental in our spiritual

regeneration when we become Christians.


Titus 3:5 NET he saved us not by works of righteousness that we have done but on

the basis of his mercy, through the washing of the new birth and the renewing of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out

on us in full measure through Jesus Christ our Savior.


Our bodies serve as the temple of the Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 6:19 NET Or do

you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you,

whom you have from God, and you are not your own?


20 For you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body.

The Spirit is the instrumental agent by which God strengthens the inner man.


Ephesians 3:16 NET I pray that according to the wealth of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power

through his Spirit in the inner person,

How does the Spirit accomplishes His work of

on-going sanctification? SANCTIFICATION IS ALSO THETHE

WORK OF THE WORD OF GODWORK OF THE WORD OF GOD.

WORK OF THE WORD OF GODWORK OF THE WORD OF GOD

Note that sanctification is also said to be tied in with the Word of God:

John 17:17 MKJV Sanctify them through Your truth. Your Word is truth.


"that He might sanctify...by the word" Ephesians 5:26 NET to sanctify her by

cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word,


Ephesians 6:17 NET And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit,

which is the word of God. The Word is evidently the instrument used

by the Spirit to help bring about our sanctification.


One who sets their mind on things the Spirit as revealed through the Word is setting their mind on "the things of the Spirit.“

When we set our minds on "the things of the Spirit" (the Word of God), we are then

able to "live according to the Spirit"


Romans 8:5 NET For those who live according to the flesh have their outlook shaped by the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their outlook

shaped by the things of the Spirit.


Led by the Spirit through the Word of God, we will then produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, instead of the works of the flesh. Galatians 5:16 NET But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the

desires of the flesh.


17 For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to

each other, so that you cannot do what you want.


18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the

flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of

anger,


selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, 21 envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I

had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the

kingdom of God!

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-

control. Against such things there is no law.


If we wish to live holy, sanctified lives, we must allow the Spirit to do His work

through the Word of God!

CONCLUSION CONCLUSION

When a Christian understands that they...

Are “a person reborn”“a person reborn”Who now

““belongs to the Lord”belongs to the Lord”And is “living by faith"“living by faith"

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

...they should have no trouble accepting the idea that they are also““consecrated to God”consecrated to God”

Do we appreciate the privilege of being ““Consecrated To God”Consecrated To God”?


That God has blessed us to be part of "a holy nation"?

That God has called us to holiness, because He is holy?


That having sanctified us, He desires to sanctify us completely?

That He does this because He desires to dwell among us?


2 Corinthians 6:17 NET Therefore "come out from their midst, and be separate," says the Lord, "and touch no unclean thing,

and I will welcome you, 18 and I will be a father to you, and you will be my sons and

daughters," says the All-Powerful Lord.


If we do, then we will take to heart the admonition of Paul:

2 Corinthians 7:1 NET Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that could defile the body and the spirit, and

thus accomplish holiness out of reverence for God.


Are we perfecting holiness in the fear of God?

Any aspect of Godly living always points us back to

God’s Word!God’s Word!

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The Significance of Being A Christian - Consecrated To God