SANCTIFICATION

 

Throughout the Bible, sanctification has been an essential element in the relationship between God and his people. This quality of being separated from sin is a fundamental characteristic of the holiness of God, that has to be developed as part of the character of their children. After observing the importance of sanctification throughout the Bible, we will consider the implications of a difficult text in the second letter of Paul to the Christians of Corinth.

 

GOD WANTS A PEOPLE HOLY

Since its creation, God wanted a holy people. He wanted a special communion with the men who were able to walk with him and talk to him in a special Union. But the very nature of God establishes limits for that Association. Its sacredness cannot afford to be contaminated by sin and corruption. Men can only be in his presence if they are pure.

Adam and Eve were in the garden that God and spoke with him. But soon he sinned and lost this special sociability. They were expelled from the garden of Eden separated from God which was spiritual death that God had promised as a result of sin (Genesis 2:17 - , but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat; you because the day that you eat of it will surely die., ;) ( Genesis 3:23 - the Lord God, therefore, sent him from the garden of Eden to cultivate the land, which was taken Genesis 3:24 - and thrown out to the man, to the East of the garden of Eden Cherubim and a sword on that supporters on all sides, to keep the way of the tree of life.)

People without Holiness could not remain in the presence of the Holy Dios.

After generations of sinners, he died in a corrupt world, God chose Abraham's descendants to be a holy people. He separated them from the corrupting influence of the Egyptians and prepared a land where they can live free of the corruption of the people idolaters. He even gave them a special law, that highlighted the distinction between the pure and the impure. God explains the need for purity of them when they gave this law:

"I am the Lord your God;" Therefore, you consagrareis and be holy, because I am Holy... I am the Lord, that you have uploaded from the land of Egypt, to be your God; Therefore shall be holy, because I am Holy "(Levítico 11:44;)" (45).

However, the people that Dios had selected exceptionally and rescued was still Holy. The Israelites repeatedly exhibited his sin in the eyes of God. Sometimes warned that it could be in the midst of the Congregation of the Sin and destroy the people (exodus 33: 5 - for the Lord had said to Moses: tell the children of Israel: you are a stiff-necked people; if for a moment I wake up in the middle of it, now takes going; its ornaments, so I know what to do.;) 16:44 numbers - then the Lord said to Moses: numbers 16:45 - are presented since the middle of this congregation, which allows me to, at the same time, can consume. Then fell with his face to the ground.). Why? Simply because there can be no communion between God's Holiness and impurity of the man. The man has to be purified, or die (see Isaiah 6: 1- in the year that King Uzziah died I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne high and noble, and the edges of his robe filled the temple.) Isaiah 6:7 - with grilled touched my mouth and said: Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken and forgiven their SIN. ). 

God still wants a holy people and provides, through Christ, the path of purification of sinners to serve-in. Christians are the Holy people of God (1 Peter 2: 5 - you also, which living stones, are being built up as a spiritual House to be Holy Priesthood, in order of oferecerdes spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.) 1 Peter 2: 9 (- But you're chosen, Royal priesthood, Holy nation, people acquired, that anuncieis the greatness of what you called from darkness into his marvelous light;). Those who claim to be followers of Jesus should be as a people sanctified and clean of the impurity in the world.

 

SANCTIFICATION IS ESSENTIAL TO HAVE COMMUNION WITH GOD

(2 Corinthians 6:14-7: 1)

The Church at Corinth was surrounded by immorality and false religion. The Christians were often tempted to return to the bad practices of the world. Paul understood this temptation when they wrote letters of encouragement. Would consider teaching in 2 Corinthians 6:14 - I prendais a mismated with unbelievers; since the society have justice with injustice? or what communion has light with darkness? 2 Corinthians 7: 1 - now, dear friends, since we have these promises, we purify of all filthiness of flesh and spirit, perfecting Holiness in the fear of God. 

Paul taught that SIN has a place in the Christian life. In verses 2cor tlb; 15 said:

"14-do not settle in mismated with unbelievers; because it may be that the partnership between justice and iniquity? Or what communion of light with darkness? 15 - harmony between Christ and evil? Or that Union, the believer with an unbeliever? " 

Found in these verses a list of things that are completely opposite. Paulo does not encourage any kind of commitment. It does not tell us that a little bad can coexist with justice. On the contrary, it shows that there can be no tolerance of sin in the life of a Christian. Christians sin (1 John 1: 8 - If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.)1 John 1:10 (- If we say that we have committed sin, make him a liar and his word is not in us.), but we have to admit the mistakes and seek God's forgiveness to maintain communion with him (1 John 1: 9 - If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.;) ( 1 John 2: 1 - my little children, these things I write, have sinned not; but if anyone sin, lawyer have to with the father, Jesus Christ the righteous.).

 

Certain religions and Eastern philosophies teach that the well has to be counterbalanced by evil and each kind is tainted by a certain amount of evil. Such ideas contradict the Bible teachings of frontally. Good and evil are distinct and cannot exist in harmony. The disciples of Christ are not committed with error.

This sanctification is based on our relationship with God. Paul continued in verses 16 - because all there is in the world, them of meat, the os of the eyes and the pride of life, not of the father but the world. 17 - now goes abroad and their lust; but he that doeth the will of God remains forever. 18-Little children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist comes, they have raised many antichrists; We know that it is the last hour. saying that the basis for this sanctification is our relationship with God. In these verses, it uses the language of the passages in the old testament to show that God still wants a holy people:

"What connection is there between the Temple of God and idols? Because we are living temple of God, as he himself said: I will live and walk among them; I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Then, remove them, therefore, come, saith the Lord; Do not touch unclean things; and I will be his father, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. "

The basic desire of God remains unchanged. He wants to have intimate communion with his holy people. But a pure God cannot have fellowship with sin; Therefore, we have to separate ourselves from evil and impurity. But, so we don't see this as an unpleasant task of resignation, we will have to remind us of the great privilege that is described here, especially in verse 18. The Almighty God of the universe, our great creator and Redeemer, who wants to be our father. Christians have the immense privilege to be called sons and daughters of God himself!

What are we doing to take advantage of this Holy friendship with God? The first verse of Chapter 7 of 2 Corinthians offers the practical realization of this passage:

"You have, therefore, beloved or, such promises, purify us from all impurity, both of flesh and spirit, perfecting our santi-ness in the fear of God." 

Due to the great privilege to be called sons and daughters of God, we have to cleanse us from all impurity. Not only 50%, 90% or 99% of sin, but of all uncleanness.

Why? Because of our respect for God. It deserves our sanctification.

Do we need to be clear what kind of impurity? Paul mentions two broad categories of sin that should be expunged from our lives:

 

Impurities of the flesh. This includes all forms of immorality and worldliness. Sexual sins, drunkenness, dishonesty and all other features of the meat should be abandoned. People who practice such things cannot enter the eternal communion with God (see Galatians 5:19 - now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are: immorality, impurity, lust, 21 - envy, outbursts, Orgies, and the like, against which I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. );

1 Corinthians 6: 9 - 9 know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, idolaters, nor Adulterers, nor effeminate, nor Sodomites,

10 nor thieves, nor covetous, nor the drunkards, nor slanderers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the Kingdom of God .

11 and this were some of you: ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and the spirit of our God.

Revelation 21: 8 ( - But cowards and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers, and sorcerers, idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the Fiery Lake of fire and brimstone, which is the second death.).

 

Impurity of the spirit. Spiritual and religious impurity also have to be removed from our lives. The Christians of Corinth were surrounded by idolatry, Paul used in this specific example. We are surrounded by a variety of human doctrines and philosophies, practices of Spiritism, worship of Saints and images, etc. The true Christian can no longer participate in such impure practices. We have to kill us for any crime of this type (1 Corinthians 10:14 - therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.), worshipping God alone (Matthew 4:10 - and then ordered Jesus: Yes, Satan; for it is written: worship the Lord your God and only serve him.). Our worship of God must be according to your truth (John 4:24 - God is spirit, and those who worship the worship in spirit and in truth.). Sanctify us, not have fellowship with the Lord who died for us.

 

APPLICATIONS IN OUR SOCIETY

We live in a world that has been stained, for thousands of years, by sin. We are surrounded by violence, pornography, dishonesty and false religion. God does not want to isolate ourselves in this world (John 17:14, I have given them your Word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. )

   15, not that I beg you shouldest mark to take them out of the world, but that you should prevent that evil.

   16, do not belong to the world, even as I am not of the world.

   17Sanctify them in the truth: your Word is truth.

   18, as sent me into the world, yet I also them I have sent to the world.

   19,And for their sake I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified by the truth. (1) sanctified...: or, truly sanctified

   20, nor pray for them alone, but for them also who believe in me through their word;

21 , which may be one; as you, father, are in me and I in you, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that you have sent me. ( ), but from their sins (1 Timothy 6:11 - but you, o man of God, flee these things and pursue justice, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, gentleness) and brilhemos as lights in a dark world (Matthew 5:14 - ye are the light of the world.) You can not hide a city situated on a lot; 15 - nor those who light up a candle and put it under the bushel, but on a lampstand and so light to all those who are in the House. ( 16 - Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven.). It was never easy to live as a people sanctified a world of corruption and injustice, but it is possible. Jesus demonstrated during a life of purity without sin. It is our responsibility to follow in his footsteps:

 

"On this same they were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example to follow in their footsteps, that did not commit no sin, nor was any deceit in his mouth"(1 Peter 2:21 - 22). "

 

by Dennis Allan