Sunday 20 September 2015

Sanctified by Grace






Scripture:

1 Peter 1 v 5: "Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."



The true meaning of the word 'sanctified' is 'to be made saintly'. The moment you become sinless through the Blood of Jesus and lose your 'sinful man' through baptism, the whole nature of Jesus Christ is the gift you receive.



You are not only saved by grace - which is the free gift of God - but a righteous nature becomes part of you too. You have been made into a saint, a holy person, and all you need do to please your Heavenly Father is allow that holiness to shine through. In the Bible saints are not created after death, but the name applies to those who are born again.



Holiness is exhibited through right living and right being. It changes you on the inside instantly but there can be obstacles in your soul or flesh that warp the full expression from being visible to others. We must walk in newness of life having discarded the habits of our old nature which lead to death. When we are completely free of those old habits and worldly lifestyle, the fullness of Christ in us the hope of glory becomes visible.



Jesus said to John over and over in Revelations - "To him that overcomes I will give the tree of life; a crown of glory; a secret new name etc." But we need to do the overcoming and put our sinful worldly past behind us.

Revelation 3 v 5: "He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before His angels."



Jesus expects us to do the overcoming because if we don't allow Him to change us we are in danger of having our name blotted out of the book of life. On the Day of Judgment when the books are opened and your final destination decided, you do not want to hear Jesus say "I never knew you!"



The whole salvation rescue plan not only saves us out of satan's clutches and eternal hellfire but must change us to be forever secure from falling back into sin and death. If we resist the holiness of the sanctified life we live in jeopardy.



Ensure that the true life of Jesus Christ is manifesting in you so that you are kept by the power of God from going back into the world.

Christians are an endangered species on this planet. Our holiness shows up the fear in those who don't have Jesus in their hearts. They hate that light and are determined to destroy it. It is up to us to keep it shining so that those who want to be saved can see the way home.



Prayer: Heavenly Father the chorus Shine Jesus Shine fill this land with the Father's glory - is in my mind. I pray that every believer will increase their shine of holiness and right living so that Jesus can touch the hardest hearts and fill them with love. In Jesus' name. Amen.