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;
Bruh! why does this verse sound like it is coming at me? Have you ever been in church and whatever the minister is preaching about just sounds like it’s coming at you from all directions ? Like were you there when i did that with.......nvm . It has happened to me many times and it still does , it just means that the word applies to me and it is meant to do so, to guide and edify me. I just want to talk about how I’ve come to understand the word Holy, you know its my season of tapping into that holinesssssss. This will be kinda short(long) but I really hope that you will read till the end and that the holy spirit will minister unto you in Jesus name !
The Greek word of “sanctification" means “holiness.” To sanctify, therefore, means “to make holy”.
Now let me tell you it has been one of the hardest things to abstain from any lustful thoughts or even actions , to not think of evil . I have found that the more I want to live right and pure the harder it is . It is the same as the more I tell myself not to eat that cheesecake the more i want to eat it. The more she tells herself not to touch herself the more the urges occur . The more you tell yourself not to sleep with this girl the more you want to sleep with this girl but the Lord tells us to be holy.
15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;16 for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” 1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV)
The first thing I’d like to point out in 1 Peter 1:16 is that God says that he is holy (which he is) and that we should be holy like him. He then states in verse 15 that we should be holy in all that we do. Now for me this is easier said than done ! we all know the rules (10 commandments Exodus 20 :1-17) Yet even though I know all of these things why do I still struggle ? ->The voice of the flesh!, it has been one big factor in my life ( and those who are in the flesh [living a life that caters to sinful appetites and impulses] cannot please God. Romans 8:8 AMP).
But he who looks carefully into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and faithfully abides by it, not having become a [careless] listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he will be blessed and favored by God in what he does [in his life of obedience]. James 1:25 AMP
This verse tells us that we can hear the word as much as we want and be given advice on how to be holy and to abstain from sin but unless we become doers so that means to practically do the word nothing will change . e.g if he says pray then pray
For this is the will of God, that you be sanctified [separated and set apart from sin]: that you abstain and back away from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to control his own body in holiness and honor [being available for God’s purpose and separated from things profane], 1 THESSALONIANS 4:3-4 AMP
Stages of holiness ( 1 THESSALONIANS 4:3 )
11 And such were some of you [before you believed]. But you were washed [by the atoning sacrifice of Christ], you were sanctified [set apart for God, and made holy], you were justified [declared free of guilt] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God [the source of the believer’s new life and changed behavior]. 1 Corinthians 6:11 (AMP)
This is what I call the stage where we have been given the gift of salvation and we are set apart from sin. We are given the truth of Christ and the holy spirit.
2) Progressive holiness Romans 6:12-23
22 But now since you have been set free from sin and have become [willing] slaves to God, you have your benefit, resulting in sanctification [being made holy and set apart for God’s purpose], and the outcome [of this] is eternal life Romans 6:22 (AMP)
This is the stage I call where you are being made Christlike, you are becoming obedient in his word and as you are doing that you are becoming more Sanctified = Holy. This can be a life long mission, however once we are in the positional holiness we are guided into the right way of living.
13 so that He may strengthen and establish your hearts without blame in holiness in the sight of our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His [a]saints (God’s people). 1 Thessalonians 3:13 (AMP)
This is what i call the last stage that is when Jesus Christ has come, our body, mind and spirit are in perfected holiness .
I think it is important to understand the process or the importance of holiness. We need to spend more time with the word and the Lord so that he can show us and explain to us why we face certain things. I have come to understand the act and the process of Holiness more and that I have been given hope that I do not have to become slaves of sexual impurity .
"Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness". Romans 6:19 NIV
Now I ask are you going to continue to be slaves to impurity and let the chains of shame and guilt bind you? or is this the time to say enough is enough . I don't know about you but I have had enough, it is time for me to do and be what God has commanded me to be and that is to be Holy.
22 But now being made free from sin, and becoming servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:22-23(KJV)
Once again i would love to know what you think or you may have a deeper understanding , comment below and if you feel like the Lord is telling you to tell me something then please do. Have a blessed day thank you for reading
