"THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BEING A CHRISTIAN"

Consecrated To God

INTRODUCTION
  1. We have begun to see that there is much significance to being a Christian...
    1. A Christian is "a person reborn", experiencing a new creation that leads to a new life
    2. He now "belongs to the Lord", God's special child that lives as a pilgrim
    3. Who sojourns in this world "living by faith", trusting in the Lord and being a trustworthy servant
  2. Another significant fact about being a Christian involves the concept of "sanctification"...
    1. The words "sanctify" and "sanctification" are translated from the Greek "hagiazo" {hag-ee-ad'-zo}
    2. 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 God". As we take a closer look at this aspect of being a Christian, let's first consider...]

  1. THE PROGRESS OF SANCTIFICATION
    1. ALL CHRISTIANS ARE SANCTIFIED...
      1. Some understand sanctification as "all at once" or "in two stages"
        1. E.g., the Wesleyan concept of "entire sanctification"
        2. 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
      2. The Biblical evidence suggests otherwise:
        1. The church at Corinth was made of people...
          1. Who were "sanctified in Christ Jesus" - 1Co 1:2
          2. Who had been "sanctified" - 1Co 6:11
          -- Note the past tense
        2. Yet many of these people were still "babes in Christ" and "carnal" - 1Co 3:1-3
          1. They were filled with envy, strife and divisions
          2. They were acting carnally, as mere men
      3. Thus, while Christians may not be perfect, they are still called "saints"
        1. Note the use of the word "saint" in addressing all Christians - Ro 1:7; 1Co 1:2; Php 1:1; Col 1:2
        2. Because they had been "set apart" to be "God's holy people" it was appropriate to be called "saints" - cf. 1Pe 2:9
        -- This pertains to our standing before God, we are blessed to be considered His holy people
    2. CHRISTIANS ARE ALSO "BEING SANCTIFIED"...
      1. Sanctification is an on-going process
        1. Those in Christ are "being sanctified" - He 2:11 (NKJV)
        2. It begins at conversion, and continues as we grow in the faith
        3. As Paul prayed for the Thessalonians: "may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely" - 1Th 5:23
      2. Thus Christians are to pursue sanctification (holiness)
        1. As the Hebrews were admonished - He 12:14
        2. As Paul commanded the Corinthians - 2Co 7:1
      3. Because God is holy, so we are to be holy in our conduct - 1Pe 1:15-16
      -- 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 God", then we will pursue and perfect our holiness (i.e., our consecration). To assist us in this goal, consider...]

  2. THE PROCESS OF SANCTIFICATION
    1. SANCTIFICATION IS THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT...
      1. Note how sanctification is tied in with the work of the Holy Spirit:
        1. "sanctified by the Holy Spirit" - Ro 15:16
        2. "sanctified...by the Spirit of our God" - 1Co 6:11
        3. "sanctification by the Spirit" - 2Th 2:13
        4. "the sanctifying work of the Spirit" - 1Pe 1:2 (NASV)
      2. The Holy Spirit naturally has an important role in our on-going sanctification...
        1. Because He was instrumental in our spiritual regeneration when we become Christians - cf. Tit 3:5-6
        2. Our bodies serve as the temple of the Holy Spirit - 1Co 6:19-20
        3. The Spirit is the instrumental agent by which God strengthens the inner man - Ep 3:16
        -- How does the Spirit accomplishes His work of on-going sanctification? Read on...
    2. SANCTIFICATION IS ALSO THE WORK OF THE WORD OF GOD...
      1. Note that sanctification is also said to be tied in with the Word of God:
        1. "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." - Jn 17:17
        2. "that He might sanctify...by the word" - Ep 5:26
      2. Since the Word of God is said to be "the sword of the Spirit" (Ep 6:17), the Word is evidently the instrument used by the Spirit to help bring about our sanctification
        1. One who sets their mind on things the Spirit has revealed through the Word is setting their mind on "the things of the Spirit"
        2. 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" - cf. Ro 8:5
        3. 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 - cf. Ga 5:16-23
        -- If we wish to live holy, sanctified lives, we must allow the Spirit to do His work through the Word of God!
CONCLUSION
  1. When a Christian understands that he or she...
    1. Is "a person reborn"
    2. Who now "belongs to the Lord"
    3. And is "living by faith" ...they should have no trouble accepting the idea that they are also "consecrated to God"
  2. Do we appreciate the privilege of being "Consecrated To God"?
    1. That God has blessed us to be part of "a holy nation"?
    2. That God has called us to holiness, because He is holy?
    3. That having sanctified us, He desires to sanctify us completely?
    -- That He does this because He desires to dwell among us? - cf. 2Co 6:17-18

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

"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2Co 7:1)
Are we perfecting holiness in the fear of God?