What then is sanctification?
1Thessalonians 4:3-4
3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
1. It is separation unto God for holiness, righteousness and uprightness
2. Sanctification is a lifestyle of walking and living in the fear of God
3. Sanctification is inner purity with outer reflections
Matthew 5:8
Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
Hebrew 10:36
For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
1thessalonians 5:23
We can pray for sanctification because it is the will of God but prayer is not a substitute for obedience to scriptural instructions
Only those who walk in the fear of God thrives in hard times, because access to our inheritance demands sanctification
God will not give you more than what you can handle, either by maturity, sanctification or spirituality
Acts 20:32
And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.
You have to be built before you begin to possess, only the sanctified possess inheritance
Nothing terminates rising and falling into sin like sanctification
What are the Demands for Sanctification?
1. Purify yourself.
One of the evidence of your salvation is that you have left your sin behind, no one will do it for you because no one knows you like you
1John3 :1-3 & 8
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
2. Purge yourself, get rid of it
2Timothy 2:19
19 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.
3. Flee youthful lust.
1John 2:16
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1Corinthian 5:18
4. Abstain from all appearances of evil.
1Thessalonians 5:22
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
5. Put off the old man and his deeds.
Colossians 3:9
9 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds;
6. Put on the new man.
2Corinthians 5:17
17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
You may have light in your house, until you put it on, there’ll be no light
7. Give no place to the devil.
Ephesians 4:27
27 Neither give place to the devil.
James 4:7
7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8. Exercise yourself to Godliness, Godliness is practical, Godliness is God-likeness.
that is, what will God do here?
1John 4:17
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
1Timothy 4:7-8
7 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness.
8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
9. Don’t be unequally yoked with unbelievers.
2Corinthians 6:16
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
10. Take regular showers in the word
Psalm 119:9-11
9 Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.
10 With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.
11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.
11. Engage the Holy Spirit on the altar of prayer.
Holy spirit must be your partner, His name is Holy, He can make you holy.
12. Watch and Pray
Matthew 26:21
21 And as they did eat, he said, Verily I say unto you, that one of you shall betray me.
