He's Calling--to Sanctification

That's a big word, but I do not think it means what you think it means. We have a tendency to read our ideas and definitions into Scripture and, by doing so, unintentionally cloud its meaning. So with "big words" like sanctification. This was a theme of this morning's talk from 1 Corinthians 1:1-9, but emphasizing verse 2.

First, consider the DEFINITION. A saint (a sanctified one) is someone who has been set apart by God for his use. It doesn't describe a person's character or status as much as it defines his state. Either one is a saint or he ain't. Reading through the Corinthian letters, you realize they weren't very "saintly" in their behavior, but Paul still calls them what they are, biblically speaking--saints. They were not just separated FROM something (that was the problem of the Pharisees; this way is legalism--we are defined by what we don't do); they have been separated BY someone (God) FOR his purposes.

Second, sanctification was the Corinthians' POSITION. The same Spirit who calls us to salvation (through the gospel, belief in the truth, and sanctification by the Spirit according to 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14) and service is the one who calls us to sanctification. Everything associated with God is to be holy because God is holy (totally separate from anything or anyone else). The only attribute of his that is emphasized by being repeated three times is his holiness (Isaiah 6:3, Revelation 4:8).

a. his Holy Spirit regenerates and sanctifies (1 Corinthians 6:9-11)

b. the ground around the burning bush (Exodus 3:5) was sanctified by God's presence.

c. the Israelites were to be a holy nation (Exodus 19:5-6) because God set them apart for his own, and expected his character to thus manifest itself in them (Leviticus 11:44-45, 19:2, 20:7)

d. so too the Corinthians have been sanctified by God's presence in them individually (1 Corinthians 6:19) and corporately (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

Third, holiness was to be the Corinthians CONDITION. Our initial sanctification is a result of the Spirit's presence within us, But that same Spirit gives us the power to become holy. We are not powerless, so we cannot say "I couldn't help it. It's just the way I am). These Corinthians were sanctified, but they were not holy (read the two letters and see for yourself!). They were, like we are, to coooperate with his word and Spirit and progress in holiness (note Hebrews 10:10-14, 1 Corinthians 6:18-20, and 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1).

There are a couple of ways in which iwe participate in the process. We offer our bodies to God (Romans 6:19-22) and we learn to control our bodies (1 Thessalonans 4:3-7). This is our response, and God widll not do this for us. A person who is sick finally goes to the doctor when he tires of his condition; he is treated, and the healing begins. It may take a long time, but the treatment has begun. And so it is with our call to sanctification. We may be rough and have a long way to go, but have we been to the physician? Are we following his treatment regimen? If so, over time, healing will come.