Sanctified Completely

We’re continuing our study in the book of Joshua. In Chapter 3 verse 5, Joshua says to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”

To sanctify means to set something apart for a special purpose. In our culture we often have a special set of dishes that we don’t use every day but they are set apart for special occasions. The same thing may be true for some of our clothes. In the Christian realm, God has set certain things apart for Himself. He uses the word “holy” to describe these things. Holy doesn’t mean perfect; it means set apart or dedicated for God’s use.

The people of Israel on this occasion were to dedicate themselves to God for His special use. In their religion this meant certain rituals of cleansing and washing, but it also meant repenting of sin and confessing allegiance to God and His Word.

In the New Testament, we find that sanctification is a work of God. Paul writes in I Thessalonians 5:23, “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

There are a couple of things here that I find encouraging. First, it encourages me to know that this is something that God does. I have my responsibilities in this as we shall see, but it is good to know that sanctification is first an act of God. Second, this sanctification involves every part of me. It’s not just a spiritual thing. My whole being – body, soul and spirit are involved. And finally, I’m encouraged by the fact that God keeps me that way. It’s amazing that he uses the word “blameless” here. In Christ, our sins are washed away and removed from us as far as the east is from the west. Those awful stains of sin have been removed. Paul is asking God to keep us that way.

So many times we fail to recognize how thorough the work of God is in our lives. If you are one of those who has come to God through Christ by faith, take some time today to consider and thank God for the way that He has set you apart for His special purposes.