From: Beverly French [frenchb@vcss.k12.ca.us]
Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2004 7:17 AM
To: Heritage
Subject: July 25 Blessings

"...God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth."  2 Thessalonians 2:13

"Illustrated Dictionary of the Bible" defines sanctification: "The process of God's grace by which the believer is separated from sin and becomes dedicated to God's righteousness." By God's Word, "Sanctify them in the truth; Thy word is truth."  John 17:17 By the Holy Spirit as in 2 Thessalonians 2:13 And, in 1 Peter 1:1-2, "Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father by the sanctifying work of the Spirit..."

"Vine's Expository Dictionary" says, "sanctification is that relationship with God into which men enter by faith in Christ:" "Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds."  Titus 2:14

"But by His (God's) doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption." 1 Corinthians 1:30

In Acts 26:18 the Apostle Paul, giving his defense to Agrippa, quotes Christ when He gave the commission to Paul to preach the Gospel, "To open their eyes so that they (sinners) may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, in order that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me."

 In I Corinthians 6:11, Paul reminds them that they are no longer to practice the old ways: "...But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God."

Sanctification is God's will for the believer:
"It is God's will that you should be sanctified; that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable."  1 Thessalonians 4:3-4

God's command and purpose:
"For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life." 1 Thessalonians 4:7

Sanctification is a continuous process during the believer's life, built up little by little, as the result of obedience to God's Word.  There are many Scriptures that point to the believer's responsibility in the process as in the following: "As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'You shall be holy, for I Am Holy.'"  1 Peter 1: 14-16

"...For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification."  Romans 6:19

"So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh--for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live."  Romans 8:12-13

These are but a few, I leave it to you to seek other Scriptures that exhort us "to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."  Matthew 5:48

By God's grace and mercy we are sanctified through the blood of Jesus, set apart unto holiness by His own choosing!  Imagine!  How awesomely loving and gracious is our God!  All praise and glory to our Savior and Lord.  Amen.