1 Peter 1:15-16
But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
A solemn reminder … that we are to be holy just as God is holy! This means we are set apart unto God. This means God is the center of our being. This means we seek intimacy with God in order to be like Him in holiness. There are several Scriptures that address this call to holiness … and the word sanctification comes to mind as I write. Perhaps we could explore what Paul wrote on the subject:
1 Thessalonians 4:3-8 (NIV)
3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. 8 Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (NIV)
13 But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as first-fruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. 14 He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
A couple of thoughts here:
Our sanctification, our walk toward holiness, is the expressed will of God. Paul connects that sanctification or holiness entails abstinence from sexual immorality; however, holiness goes far deeper into the inclinations and motives of our hearts … our souls. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but to holiness. And this is what we should pursue through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit. Indeed, God chose us for salvation and sanctification. And note how Paul articulates this process – the Holy Spirit works to separate us from the world unto God … and His work begins when we believe the truth. In fact, Jesus prayed for our sanctification! Look at this passage as Jesus prayed to the Father:
John 17:13-19 (NIV)
13 “I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them. 14 I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world. 15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. 18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. 19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.
When we believe the Word of God … and put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ … this is the conception of sanctification. This is moment that holiness is birthed in our hearts. We are born-again … not of this world … not of the flesh … but born of God through the Holy Spirit working through the Word … the Word of Truth! And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the Truth! (Cf. 1 John 5:6) Oh, how I pray we all will take the call to holiness to heart … deny ourselves as symbolized in fasting … and sanctify our hearts through prayer and intimacy with the Lord. This is what He desires for His children to be … and for the prodigal to be … and for whosoever will believe in Him to be! The time has come for authentic relationship with God … and this requires our sanctification…. Have your way … Holy Spirit! Amen.
So Now You Know 