SANCTIFICATION

Rom. 6:22

Introduction

Many misunderstand it and it is neglected from the pulpit. Very powerful provision for all believers.

I. SANCTIFICATION IS FREEDOM

Sin is a powerful force in the world. It enslaves and destroys. Sin ultimately separates people from God and removes righteousness from humanity.

Without God's intervention into a human life, sin would drive us all away from Him and into a devil's hell. It pushes, drives, craves, deceives.

Romans 7:19-20
19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.

Galatians 5:17
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

See Romans 6:1-7. This is God's provision for us...sanctification. We do not have to be "slaves of sin." We can be free from sin.

Jesus died for us so that our sins could be forgiven. Through Calvary we are delivered from the penalty of sin. But there is more. He also delivered us from the power of sin. By our identification with Christ's death, burial and resurrection we can die with Him.

Galatians 2:20
20 "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

The "old man" and the "body of sins" can be as dead as Jesus was on the cross. It can be "done away with." We do not have to be "slaves of sin."

Romans 8:2
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.

We do not have to be bound by lust, hatred and addictions. Sin does not have to dominate (v.14). We become dead to sin. We are no longer powerless to resist it. The "hook" it once had into us is removed through sanctification.

How can this be ours? By faith in the person and work of Jesus on Calvary.

Romans 6:11
11 Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

II. SANCTIFICATION IS SURRENDER

Rom. 6:15-18. With sin dealt with we are free to be God's. You are either His or you are not. You are sold out or you need to be. You were saved to be sanctified, to be set apart, separated unto the Lord.

2 Thessalonians 2:13
13 But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth,

"To whom you present yourselves..." You must present yourself to God. Notice that we are to become "slaves of God." Slaves were property that were bought at great price.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 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 in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

Notice Rom. 12:1. We are to present ourselves like a "sacrifice." The sacrifice was total. (Not just an ear or leg.)

When articles from the temple were sanctified they were seperated for sacred purposes only. We are also set apart for God only. We can not "serve two masters." We are not to be double-minded but a vessel devoted to God. We are His temple and the temple of God is Holy.

We are to be His fully...24/7...spirit, soul and body...public and private...in and out of church...this is sanctification. Purity and surrender. It is through God.

III. FRUIT TO HOLINESS

Holiness or sanctification is not optional.

1 Peter 1:15-16
15 but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."

There are three be's.

• you must be born again
• be ye holy
• be filled with the Spirit

See 1 Thess. 4:3-8. Sanctification is God's will for every believer. God expects His people to be holy. God's people should be a people of deep convictions. We are not to be different for the sake of being different but because we are not "of" the world.

Hebrews 12:14
14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:

Sanctification is more than rules and regulations. It is freedom. It is power. It is provision. It is by His grace. We can be overcomers. We can live above sin and worldliness.