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“Part 2: You Were Sanctified -- What Every Christian Should Know”

Thoughts for Today:

[Today we continue with part 2 of our 3 part series in which we take a closer look at some very important Christian concepts. The second: "You were sanctified."]

A good working definition of "sanctification" is to be separated from sin and dedicated to God. It is literally, the state of being set apart. The words translated from the Greek to the English words "saint," "sanctification," and "holiness," all have this root meaning of separation from sin and dedication to God. In the Bible, the sanctification process is described in three separate tenses: past, present, and future.

As applied to the Christian, there are also two other distinctions: positional and progressive (or actual). In our passage today, Paul is talking specifically about "positional" sanctification; that is, as believers we are "in Christ". In other words, at the time we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, we were separated from sin and dedicated to God. How so? Jesus prayed in John 17:15-19, "My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified."

Jesus set Himself apart for the purpose He was sent. It is both the basis and the condition of our being set apart -- His sanctification is the pattern and the power for ours. As a result, God no longer views us as sinners (though we still commit occasional acts of sin); instead, He sees all Christians as being completely separated from sin and totally dedicated to Himself.

Questions to Ponder:

When Jesus sanctified Himself, He did so for our benefit. What are you doing with His sacrifice? Have you separated yourself from sin, or do you continue to live with the same type of immorality as the world? Are you dedicated to God, or do you pursue your own agenda?

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About the author

Pocket Devotions are written by Mike Brooks. A retired businessman, he is Moderator of South Shores church, leads the Deacon Board, serves on the finance committee, and he teaches a Men's Bible study and the Men's Ministry. Mike has a passion for evangelical missions. He is the husband of Sherry; the father of Ryan, Natalie, Krissy, Rebecca, and Amanda; the father-in-law of Ariel; and the grandfather of Conner and Christian.