“For this is the will of God, even your sanctification” (1 Thessalonians 4:3a).
Introduction
The Greek culture gloried in immorality of all kinds, therefore the Thessalonian believers had this before them at all times in the city. In our own society, especially in the media, we see debauchery, lewdness, and ungodliness being celebrated as something honourable. Paul’s message to the church at Thessalonica can be applied to this age too.
Sanctification
The word ‘sanctification’ finds its root in the Greek word ‘hagios’, which literally means ‘holy’. No matter where we turn in Scripture we find the call for God’s people to be holy. “For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. For I am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44-45) … “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16).
Sanctification and holiness can only be referring to absolute purity, and the only way for this to be a reality in our lives is for us to be obedient to the will of God. Also, sanctification is the position of being set apart by and for the Lord. “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work” (2 Timothy 2:19-21). Sanctification is not the same as legalism or stuffiness, neither does it give us the right to think that we are better than anyone else. We cannot be any more holy than when we are obediently trusting and following the Lord. If we willingly lay down our lives in service to Christ, then He can use us for His glory. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1-2). What pleases God is a life that is dedicated to Him. Nevertheless, sanctification does not rest upon what we can do for God, but what He has already done for us in Christ, “By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all” (Hebrews 10:10). This is what we call ‘Positional Sanctification.’
It is God’s will for us
No believer is exempt from this great need in the church. A believer who is worldly will see no need for personal sanctification and holiness, and will criticise all those who speak of it. Many Christians ask, “What is God’s will for my life?” but here is a direct answer that is usually rejected. We call this ‘Practical Sanctification’ because it refers to the fact that it is a process that will continue in our lives until we die or when Christ returns. Therefore we must daily resist sin in our lives, which Paul explains in the verses following our opening text. “To abide in the faith of the gospel is not enough, we must abound in the work of faith. The rule according to which all ought to walk and act, is the commandments given by the Lord Jesus Christ. Sanctification, in the renewal of their souls under the influence of the Holy Spirit, and attention to appointed duties, constituted the will of God respecting them. In aspiring after this renewal of the soul unto holiness, strict restraint must be put upon the appetites and senses of the body, and on the thoughts and inclinations of the will, which lead to wrong uses of them. The Lord calls none into his family to live unholy lives, but that they may be taught and enabled to walk before him in holiness. Some make light of the precepts of holiness, because they hear them from men; but they are God's commands, and to break them is to despise God” (Matthew Henry).
It is God’s will for every believer to be set apart for His service. “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1) … “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). We see then the danger of dismissing this great need, and in fact, it is a rejection of the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer’s life. “God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth” (2 Thessalonians 2:13). To be sanctified and holy is to emulate God’s highest quality, “Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory” (Isaiah 6:3).
Conclusion
No matter if ungodliness and sin are the acceptable norm in the world today, it is vital that we aim for a higher standard of living, that is, God’s standard. Sanctification is not an option. Sanctification is both the Lord’s command and expectation. The church is guilty of lowering the standards to accommodate the immorality of this generation. Only we, through the power of God’s Holy Spirit, can raise the standard again. Anything less than sanctification and holy living is not New Testament Christianity.
© 15/3/2008