Sanctified

2 Timothy 2:15-22 KJV

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. 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. Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

The problem that many who go wrong on sanctification and holy living have is they seem to not understand that sanctify just means separate.
When we are saved, we are immediately sanctified, meaning we are separated, or set apart from the unsaved. They still retain their eternal damnation, while we are set apart for a separate eternity. The sheep/goat judgment is just the heavenly finality of earthly choices made by men that results in their eternal separation, either to or apart from Christ.

But in the above verses, sanctified is referring to our personal holiness. It sets us apart for the Master's use.
There really is not a lot to expound on here. It's just simple to the man who desires to please God.

The odd thing is that the heretics say that our desire to be holy is because of our pride. One such heretic calls it performancism. He decides to judge Christians who choose to please God as being sinfully proud, focussing on themselves. But the one putting the focus on himself is the one who has chosen to live however he chooses, disregarding God and his desire for us to please Him.

You see, my focus IS on God. When I see God, the world and it's pleasure is out of focus. When I see God, He causes me to examine myself and see if I am keeping myself fit for his use.

I'll give an illustration : A preacher spends a lifetime serving God. He was sanctified as a saint upon his salvation. He then grew in knowledge and holiness and the Lord called him to service. Even while serving, he continued to grow in holiness. Many souls were won to Christ through his ministry.
The peak of his ministry was when both his holiness and his results were high.
Then came temptation. At first it was the money. While his visible holiness might have appeared intact to most, God saw his heart, and his personal sanctification all but disappeared.
While he remained sanctified from the unsaved, for purpose of eternity, he became of no use to God. So God shelved him. He was no longer set apart, sanctified for the Master's use.
Refusing to regain that personal sanctification, he fell into more and more sin until God had enough and took him home.

While an illustration to most, that man is real to me and played a major role in my salvation. I bet if you could call heaven and ask him the importance of personal sanctification, he'd say sanctify yourselves! Keep yourselves clean, holy, separated.

How sad that some, in an attempt to justify their lack of wanting to please God, choose to disregard the need for personal sanctification.

"Be ye holy; for I am holy"

For proper context and clarification that it means exactly what I have blogged about:
1 Peter 1:3-16 KJV

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 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.

Courage, Strength, Success

Joshua 1:7-9 KJV

Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

Often folks use verse 8 by itself as God's solution for success. While that IS a correct application, I believe we miss something when we neglect the rest of the passage.

God is speaking to Joshua here, right after he lost his leader, friend, and mentor, Moses. While known as a warrior, Joshua no doubt feared his new role as a leader.

God doesn't just tell him to suck it up, but tells him what tool to use: the Law.

First, I want to point out the obvious. God equates Strength and Courage with obedience. My, how our world has perverted that. We think that the strong and courageous should be independent, answering to no one. God says otherwise. If you want to show how macho you are, live within the rules. This applies not only to God's rules, but rules at work, school, community, and even laws.

Not that the strong man won't slip, but his practice is of obedience, the slipping is the exception.

Secondly, I see that this passage tells us something about the Law, or in our vernacular, the Bible, God's Word.

Too many people get hung up on Christ's teaching about the law in relation to salvation. While obviously Christ spoke truth, saying the law was our schoolmaster pointing us towards our need for redemption, he never proclaimed that to be the exclusive use of his Law.

From cover to cover we find commands and illustrations telling us that following the "rules" is the way we should go. We have to realize that though we had no part in our salvation, we certainly have a responsibility to God, after salvation. Living a holy, acceptable life can only be accomplished through the power of Christ, but it involves work on our part. Don't be afraid of the word "works." We're not talking about salvation, but of obedience.

In Matthew 5:16 Jesus tells us that we let our light shine by doing good works before men that our Father in heaven may be glorified.

Ephesians 2:10 says we are created in Christ Jesus unto good works. Then it goes on to say God had ordained that we do walk in them, or that He always intended us to do good works. Again: not for salvation, but simply to glorify God and point men to Christ.

In Second Timothy chapter 3, we are told in verse 16 that the Bible, all of it, is inspired by God, and is "profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:"

Then verse 17 tells us why: "That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works."

So, are you strong, courageous, and brave? Don't worry about what the world thinks the standard for that is. God says the strong follow the rules. Be strong.