Sanctification
The Apostle Paul confidently proclaims in Gal 2:20 "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." It never ceases to amaze me how men can take something as simple as sanctification and make it so difficult. You can read 20 different commentaries on it and get 20 different interpretations. I have come to find that there are 3 basic positions amongst most "Christians" as to the biblical teaching of sanctification: 1. Sanctification occurs at the new birth. 2. Sanctification is a process during this life. 3. Sanctification will take place when we get a glorified body. The funny thing is that all three positions are correct. The spirit, soul, and body all get sanctified. Just not at the same time. But I am going to deal with only one of the three. That is, the sanctification of the spirit during this life. If you are going to be sanctified in this life there are three enemies that you will have to go to battle with and defeat.
I. THE WORLD.
A. You cannot be worldly and be sanctified by God. You must choose one or the
other. Let’s see what God thinks of the world.
Paul tells us to be not conformed to the world(Rom 12:2)
John tells to love not the world(1 John 2:15)
James tells us not even be friends to the world(Jas 4:4)
II. THE FLESH
The flesh is probably your worst enemy. It must be put away in order to be sanctified. Paul was a great ensample pertaining to the flesh.
1. Paul said in his flesh dwelleth no good thing.(Rom 7:18)
2. Walking after the flesh merits condemnation.(Rom 8:1)
3. You can’t please God in the flesh(Rom 8:8)
4. The works of the flesh are evil(Gal 5:19-21)
III. THE DEVIL
A. Now this guy is really going to be upset about you being sanctified. He will
Stop at nothing to ruin your testimony and witness for Jesus Christ. You
Probably won’t even have to deal with the devil until you have defeated the
World and the flesh. Beware the wiles of the devil!
1. The devil is just waiting for the opportunity to get you down (1 Pet 5:8)
2. The devil will attack when you are weak. (Matt 4:1-11)
3. The devil will be subtle. (2 Cor 11:3)
4. The devil will test your spiritual armor. (Eph 6:11-18)
Conclusions: Brethran, at the judgment seat of Christ every work will be tried by the fire. Please make sure of the sort that it is. If it is not sanctified and done unto Christ for Christ, then it will just burn up. Paul said in 2 Co 5:10-11 "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;" I pray that you examine yourselves that ye be in the faith.
