Consecrated To God

The Significance Of Being A Christian
Consecrated To God

We have begun to see that there is much significance to being a Christian. A Christian is "a person reborn", experiencing a new creation that leads to a new life. A Christian now "belongs to the Lord", God’s special child that lives as a pilgrim, who sojourns in this world "living by faith", trusting in the Lord and being a trustworthy servant. Another significant fact about being a Christian involves the concept of "sanctification". The words "sanctify" and "sanctification" are translated from the Greek "hagiazo". It means to make holy, to set apart for a special purpose; related words include holiness, consecration, and saint. As we shall see, this pertains to both our standing before God and our conduct before God. Thus a Christian is "Consecrated To God".

As we take a closer look at this aspect of being a Christian, let’s first consider the progress of sanctification. All Christians are sanctified. Some understand sanctification as "all at once" or "in two stages", as in the Wesleyan concept of "entire sanctification". Some even suggesting that once "sanctified", one can no longer sin. The Biblical evidence suggests otherwise. The church at Corinth was made of people who were "sanctified in Christ Jesus" - 1 Co 1:2 "Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:" (KJV)
They had been "sanctified" - 1 Co 6:11 "And such were some of you: but you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (KJV) -- Note the past tense. Yet many of these people were still "babes in Christ" and "carnal" - 1 Co 3:1-3 "My friends, you are acting like the people of this world. That's why I could not speak to you as spiritual people. You are like babies as far as your faith in Christ is concerned. So I had to treat you like babies and feed you milk. You could not take solid food, and you still cannot, because you are not yet spiritual. You are jealous and argue with each other. This proves that you are not spiritual and that you are acting like the people of this world."
They were filled with envy, strife and divisions. They were acting carnally, as mere men. Thus, while Christians may not be perfect, they are still called "saints". Note the use of the word "saint" in addressing all Christians - Ro 1:7 "To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ."; 1 Co 1:2 ""Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:"; Ph 1:1 "Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:"; Co 1:2 "To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (KJV). Because they had been "set apart" to be "God’s holy people", it was appropriate to be called "saints" - 1 Pe 2:9 "But you are God's chosen and special people. You are a group of royal priests and a holy nation. God has brought you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Now you must tell all the wonderful things that he has done." -- This pertains to our standing before God; we are blessed to be considered His holy people.

Christians are also being sanctified. Sanctification is an ongoing process. Those in Christ are "being sanctified" - He 2:11 "For both he that sanctifies and they who are being sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, (NKJV). It begins at conversion, and continues as we grow in the faith. As Paul prayed for the Thessalonians: "may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely" - 1 Th 5:23. Thus Christians are to pursue sanctification (holiness). As the Hebrews were admonished to do - He 12:14 "Try to live at peace with everyone! Live a clean life. If you don't, you will never see the Lord." As Paul commanded the Corinthians - 2 Co 7:1 "My friends, God has made us these promises. So we should stay away from everything that keeps our bodies and spirits from being clean. We should honor God and try to be completely like him." Because God is holy, so we are to be holy in our conduct - 1 Pe 1:15-16 "Always live as God's holy people should, because God is the one who chose you, and he is holy. That's why the Scriptures say, "I am the holy God, and you must be holy too."’ -- This pertains to our conduct before God, our responsibility to live holy lives. God has therefore called Christians to be holy, set apart, sanctified. In obeying the gospel we have been sanctified; but if we are truly "Consecrated To God", then we will pursue and perfect our holiness (i.e., our consecration).

To assist us in this goal, let’s consider the process of sanctification. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit. Note how sanctification is tied in with the work of the Holy Spirit:
"sanctified by the Holy Spirit" - Ro 15:16
"sanctified...by the Spirit of our God" - 1 Co 6:11
"sanctification by the Spirit" - 2 Th 2:13
"the sanctifying work of the Spirit" - 1 Pe 1:2 (NASV)
The Holy Spirit naturally has an important role in our ongoing sanctification, because He was instrumental in our spiritual regeneration when we become Christians - Ti 3:5-6 "He saved us because of his mercy, and not because of any good things that we have done. God washed us by the power of the Holy Spirit. He gave us new birth and a fresh beginning. God sent Jesus Christ our Savior to give us his Spirit." The Spirit is the instrumental agent by which God strengthens the inner man - Ep 3:16 "God is wonderful and glorious. I pray that his Spirit will make you become strong followers"
How does the Spirit accomplishes His work of ongoing sanctification? Read on...

Sanctification is also the work of the Word of God. Note that sanctification is also said to be tied in with the Word of God:
"Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth." - Jn 17:17
"that He might sanctify...by the word" - Ep 5:26
Since the Word of God is said to be "the sword of the Spirit" (Ep 6:17), the Word is evidently the instrument used by the Spirit to help bring about our sanctification. One who sets their mind on things the Spirit has revealed through the Word is setting their mind on "the things of the Spirit" When we set our minds on "the things of the Spirit" (the Word of God), we are then able to "live according to the Spirit" - Ro 8:5. Led by the Spirit through the Word of God, we will then produce the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, instead of the works of the flesh - Ga 5:16-22 "If you are guided by the Spirit, you won't obey your selfish desires. The Spirit and your desires are enemies of each other. They are always fighting each other and keeping you from doing what you feel you should. But if you obey the Spirit, the Law of Moses has no control over you. People's desires make them give in to immoral ways, filthy thoughts, and shameful deeds. They worship idols, practice witchcraft, hate others, and are hard to get along with. People become jealous, angry, and selfish. They not only argue and cause trouble, but they are envious. They get drunk, carry on at wild parties, and do other evil things as well. I told you before, and I am telling you again: No one who does these things will share in the blessings of God's kingdom. God's Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways." -- If we wish to live holy, sanctified lives, we must allow the Spirit to do His work through the Word of God!

When a Christian understands that he or she is "a person reborn" who now "belongs to the Lord" and is "living by faith" they should have no trouble accepting the idea that they are also "consecrated to God". Do we appreciate the privilege of being "Consecrated To God"? That God has blessed us to be part of "a holy nation"? That God has called us to holiness, because He is holy? That having sanctified us, He desires to sanctify us completely?
-- That He does this because He desires to dwell among us? - cf. 2 Co 6:17-18 "The Lord also says, "Leave them and stay away! Don't touch anything that isn't clean. Then I will welcome you and be your Father. You will be my sons and my daughters, as surely as I am God, the All-Powerful."’

If we do, then we will take to heart the admonition of Paul:
"Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God." (2 Co 7:1). Are we perfecting holiness in the fear of God?

May the promise of a new creation and a new life in Christ remind us of "The Significance Of Being A Christian", and challenge us to examine our loyalties if we do not see in our lives the evidence of "A Person Reborn" That "Belong’s To The Lord", "living by faith", being "Consecrated To God" then we need to repent and take advantage of the wonderful blessings from our Lord and Savior. Have you taken advantage of this wonderful gift, by responding to the gospel of Jesus Christ? Would you like to be reborn in Christ to be a new creature with a new life? If you have not responded to the gospel message and would like to do so, by all means please contact me directly at jimnewy@classinet.net

This material is from ExecutableOutlines.com, a web site containing sermon outlines and Bible studies by Mark A. Copeland. Visit the web site to browse or download additional material for church or personal use. The outlines were developed in the course of my ministry as a preacher of the gospel. Feel free to use them as they are, or adapt them to suit your own personal style. To God be the glory!
Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2002