Day 8: Holy and Set Apart for God
Hebrews 10:9–10
As I have traveled about to many churches, I have heard people talk about godly examples in their lives. The greatest godly example is Jesus Christ Himself! Jesus alone has the power to forgive sin as He was the sinless sacrifice who gave His life at Calvary and rose again the third day. In today’s passage, we see that Christ not only atoned for sin at the Cross, He also wiped out the Old Testament sacrificial system and instituted the opportunity for the Christ follower to be made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once and for all.
In The Alliance, we call being “made holy” the process of sanctification. Sanctification is the process whereby the Christ follower is set apart from sin unto God and His purposes. Those words were drilled into me as a freshman in 1980 at St. Paul Bible College (now Crown College). The full engagement of the Christ follower in these things, with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, cannot help but produce holiness in the Christ follower’s life, set apart for God’s plan! When this happens, there is great freedom from sin, great excitement in understanding God’s personal life plan, great fulfillment in engaging the life of Christ in us and through us, and also a great expectation for the future!
Sanctification is not an add-on to the Christian life—it is God’s deepest desire for His son or daughter!
Reflection Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for sending Your only Son, Jesus, to be born into this sinful world, live a sinless life, and give His life as the perfect sacrifice for all sin, for all time. Thank You that Your plan for Your children does not end with salvation but also includes sanctification. Thank You for the Holy Spirit who can help us to be set apart from sin unto You and Your purposes. Help us, Father, to discover these things and be hungry to live them out in a world that needs You so desperately. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Week 2: Christ Our Sanctifier
John 17:19
As we focus on the life of Christ, this week’s theme is Christ Our Sanctifier. We believe that our purpose was determined even before our formation in the womb. This is conveyed in Jeremiah 1:5: “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born, I set you apart.” Additionally, 1 Peter 2:9 states that we have been brought out of darkness into light to proclaim His excellencies and become His chosen people, a royal priesthood, and His possession. As adherents of Christ’s teachings, it is crucial for us to recognize that God has a specific purpose for our lives. In fulfilling this purpose, He sanctifies us through the work of the Holy Spirit within us. We are set apart for holy living in this fallen world and are equipped to carry out His work.
Reflection Questions
Do you believe God has a purpose for your life?
Do you feel empowered to fulfill His calling?
How do you manage the conflict between flesh and spirit?